Up to 13 individuals at Medicine Hat College were laid off Monday due to the provincial government's decision to no longer fund two programs. The government says it did not want organizations to be overly reliant on provincial funding.--NEWS PHOTO
The cancellation of provincial grant funding that resulted in the layoff of up to 13 people at Medicine Hat College on Monday was through the Ministry of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women.
A spokesperson for this government department told the News on Tuesday that the decision to cut the funding was made after adjusting focus “on ensuring that groups are not overly reliant on government funding and are capable of being self-sustaining.”
Sandy Henderson, dean of student services and registrar at MHC, revealed on Monday that two-and-a-half full-time positions (three people) were laid off and between eight and 10 people in part-time and contract positions.
The provincial government funding of about $200,000 had been in place for many years and renewed annually to support the Alberta Sports Development Centre SE (ASDC) and the Be Fit for Life Centre.
Henderson says the college was notified in the last two weeks that the funding would be cancelled and it was not possible to continue the programs without that money.
The government spokesperson says communication about the change in funding began about eight months ago.
“Be Fit For Life centres were notified of the necessary program review to determine their ability to continue operating and were provided interim funding in May 2020,” said the spokesperson in an email.
Henderson says MHC was provided funding up to the end of September last year while the review was underway.
“Unfortunately, the review concluded that no additional funding would be available. For our institution the grants provided the majority of support for BFFL & ASDC’s operations – we were unable to find alternative sources,” said Henderson.
Although the funding was supporting a physical fitness program in MHC it did not come from the government’s Ministry for Advanced Education.
“The funding originally came from the Alberta Sport Connection, which through government transitions was eventually moved under the Ministry of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women,” said Henderson.
The staff aid off on Monday will work their last day on Feb. 12. Henderson said there were unfortunately no alternative positions that could be offered to them at MHC.
