January 13, 2020
The Picton Gazette
Ontario
Sarah Williams
Council asked to consider those living below poverty line during budget deliberations
Choosing not to act in the fight against financial insecurity could be detrimental to the municipality as Kathy Kennedy, Executive Director of Prince Edward Learning Centre (PELC), pointed out during Thursday’s Committee of the Whole Meeting at Shire Hall.
Kennedy approached council asking for $35,000 to be carved out of the 2020 municipal budget so PELC can expand their array of services. In 2019, programming offered by PELC brought in about $1.1 million to Prince Edward County residents who utilized the tax, benefit and financial-related specific programming offered by the adult education centre.
Kennedy explains that PELC’s goal is to help bring $7.5 million to residents-thereby the local economy- over the next two years in part through increasing their financial literacy and tax clinic programs.