Dexter Government's Decision Not To Fund DASC Shortsighted

October 16, 2011

 

(Halifax, NS) Andrew Younger, MLA for Dartmouth East, says the Dexter government’s refusal to provide $500,000 in funding for the Dartmouth Adult Services Centre will only cost the government in the long run.

 

Younger applauded a decision today by the federal government to provide
$2.4 million in support for the work of DASC to address its client wait list through a new facility. This announcement follows a previous commitment by HRM, made when Younger was a municipal councillor.

 

“This organization provides important services to people with special needs in our community,” says Younger. “The federal and municipal governments are on board with this project, but the province refuses to offer support to DASC.”

 

“We are in a situation where Stephen Harper's government is demonstrating a greater social conscience than Darrell Dexter's government.”

 

Younger says the province’s refusal to offer support will make it harder and more costly for DASC to deliver community services programs.

 

“DASC is working to begin construction of a proper facility to deliver the services that the community continues to need,” says Younger. “Premier Dexter's decision to ignore the needs of people with disabilities is going to place an undo financial burden on an organization that provides a valuable service to the community and province.”

 

Younger says investing in DASC is not only good public policy, but will save the government money.

 

“As people move off the DASC waiting list and into the available programs, they also move out of more expensive government programs,”
says Younger. “DASC provides individuals in our community with important social and employment skills.”

 

“The work of DASC helps families and strengthens our province and economy - values that used to matter to Darrell Dexter and the NDP.”

 

 

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