Leeds-Grenville MPP Steve Clark is insisting the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport act immediately to stop the Ontario Trillium Foundation from implementing a plan that would cut the program’s local roots. In Question Period last week, the Official Opposition Critic for Tourism, Culture and Sport, revealed the OTF board has been presented with a plan to reduce the number of Trillium’s granting catchment areas from the current 16 to just 5.
Clark says This centralization is happening without input from frontline staff, OTF volunteers or the communities this cherished program has served so well. Fewer regions will result in fewer local voices and less local knowledge at the table to make decisions about Trillium grants as well as a reduction in staff members to work with volunteer groups.
The development comes on the heels of Clark raising questions about OTF’s commitment to small community organizations after the agency suddenly suspended its $25 million capital grants program at the end of March.