Minister Nixon tours FCSS offices, hears concerns

A provincial minister toured the area on Friday, listening to concerns from local FCSS boards.

Minister of Seniors, Community, and Social Services, Jeremy Nixon, made stops at the Cold Lake, Bonnyville, and St. Paul FCSS buildings on Friday, along with MLA David Hanson.

During the Bonnyville visit, FCSS board chair Kayla Blanchette, along with new executive director Rachelle Lavoie, spoke candidly about the challenges they face.

Issues highlighted include the shutdown of Alberta Supports during COVID, and how the FCSS had to pick up the slack even as they remain working from home, issues of homelessness rising in town, and the ask for increased funding.

“We had an individual a woman that was living in her car, and we were moving quickly to try to find her a bed to stay because it was getting really cold,” said Lavoie, who said they were able to communicate with Alberta Supports in Cold Lake, but when the individual was originally sent, the administrative person wasn’t aware of what was happening.

“For us being in the system, using it being such a challenge, I can’t imagine how it wants to be like as a user of the system trying to navigate it.”

Blanchette underlined an ask for increase in funding. FCSS facilities operate with provincial grant dollars, and Blanchette said a funding bump hasn’t been seen since 2014.

Minister Nixon sat and engaged with the group in attendance, including Mayor Elisa Brosseau and Reeve Barry Kalinski, town councillors Byron Johnson, Neil Langridge, David Sharun, and Brian McEvoy, as well as M.D. councillor Darcy Skarsen.

Nixon said he does tours like this to understand challenges, particularly in rural Alberta, which is different than in his native Calgary.

Rachelle Lavioe relays some of the issues the FCSS has been facing lately.

Kayla Blanchette, left, listens alongside Nixon and Hanson.

“When I ask the questions, they [the provincial treasurers] want to understand how many and how much resources are needed to be fully funded,” said Nixon.

“It’s important for me to be able to tell these stories.”

Blanchette says hopefully, Nixon can be an advocate for an increase in funding.

“Something that the association will be advocating for this year is increased funding. It hasn’t been increased since 2014. Certainly the needs of the community have.”