Corner Brook -
The future of the Atlantic Coastal Action Program, including the ACAP Humber Arm site based in Corner Brook, is merely treading water as it awaits word from the federal government to renew its commitment to the conservation and environmental network.
When Environment Canada's five-year commitment to fund the 16 ACAP sites throughout Atlantic Canada was nearing expiration in 2008, the federal agency opted to only commit funding for another two years.
Unless the commitment is renewed once again, the ACAP project could fold as of March 31, 2010.
Closing started
One of the sites, the Pictou Harbour Environmental Protection Project in Nova Scotia, has already began the process of shutting down operations.
That site is within the federal riding of Central Nova, which is represented by National Defence Minister Peter MacKay, who is also Newfoundland and Labrador's representative in the federal cabinet.
The long-time executive directors of two other ACAP sites have vacated their positions in light of the uncertainty of their continued employment.
Sheldon Peddle is executive director of ACAP Humber Arm, one of the original 12 ACAP sites established in 1991 and one of four sites currently operating in Newfoundland and Labrador.
According to Peddle, ACAP normally receives notification of a commitment to funding many months, if not a year, in advance.
All 16 sites receive $82,000 per year from Environment Canada and use that core money to leverage further funding from additional sources.
It would take about three months to wind down the operations based in Corner Brook, so if there is no commitment given by early January, Peddle said steps towards shutting down will have to commence.
Having no indication at this point whether or not the ACAP sites will continue to be funded is already having an impact at ACAP Humber Arm.
"We are not able to enter into any agreements that extend beyond March 31 because we don't know if we will be around to honour those commitments," Peddle told The Western Star Friday. "We are not able to properly plan for the next fiscal year. We don't have the seed funding from Environment Canada to go out and leverage any additional funding.
Any time an organization is faced with job uncertainty, he said it's also difficult to retain staff.
"That will be an issue we will be facing as staff look elsewhere for more job stability," said Peddle.
Frustrated by the lack of progress in dealing directly with Environment Canada, the entire ACAP network has written Environment Minister Jim Prentice, asking him to intervene and to put an end to the uncertainty of the future of the ACAP program. They have also written their respective federal MPs and provincial politicians, urging them to also press upon Prentice their thoughts on the value and importance of the work done by ACAP throughout the Atlantic region.
"The ACAP program is a real Canadian success; one that has been highlighted and emulated internationally," wrote Cecil Lake, ACAP Humber Arm's chairperson, in his letter to Prentice.
"It is a program that is highly valued by Atlantic Canadians for effecting positive environmental advances in our shared coastal areas and improvements in the social and economic well being of this region. ACAP is a program for which Environment Canada rightfully deserves to take credit for. It is a program that not only deserves to continue but needs to continue."
In addition to many environmental successes, Peddle said ACAP Humber Arm has also contributed greatly to the local community with its educational initiatives and as an employer and economic generator.
