Cathy Bennett says community grants to remain at $70M for next year

The 2016-17 provincial budget is still weeks away, but Finance Minister Cathy Bennett confirmed Wednesdaythe $70 million in core funding for community organizations in Newfoundland and Labrador will remain intact, at least for a year.

• Funding for women's centres, community groups to be maintained in budget

Bennett made the surprise announcement in the House of Assembly, saying government wanted to provide some "clarity" for the organizations that provide "critical services" throughout the province.

She also announced a wholesalereview of how the money is spent by these organizations, includingwomen's centres, to ensure the money is used wisely, "as opposed to interest charges, administrative costs, rent and those kind of things."

Bennettsaidgovernmentwants to find ways to cut costs for community groups.

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More information on this review will be included in the budget,which is expected to be delivered in late March or April.

"This is a slice of the 2016 plan, and is a clear communication to the community groups that we intend to keep our commitment on multi-year funding," she said, referringto an earlier promise to stabilize funding for community-based organizations.