EXCERPTS:
Grey County's childcare programs are facing a $1 million provincial funding cut.
The childcare funding cut came to light at county council's regular meeting on Tuesday, November 5. Based on changing demographics the province has changed the formula it uses to calculate how much the county receives for childcare programs.
As a result the county is seeing a significant cut to its budget. The cut, however, is not taking effect immediately. The province has provided the county with just over $2 million in bridge funding to help deal with the change.
"You're looking at almost $1 million to be cut out of the program," county Finance Director Kevin Weppler told council at the meeting. "There is quite an impact on the community," he said.
At the meeting members of council couldn't say what programs would specifically experience reduced funding. The county provides a host of childcare related programs including daycare subsidies for lower income families.
The county plans to use the $2 million bridge funding to continue to provide the same level of service in 2014. County staff have been tasked with coming up with a template for how to deal with the cuts going forward.
"We know this is coming. We're not going to make any hasty decisions," said Warden Duncan McKinlay.
After the meeting he said county council would make every effort to mitigate the impact on local children.
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- reprinted from the Meaford Express