The Humanity Project founder Charles Burrell delivered a passionate speech critical of the City of Moncton’s assistance to the group.
He says before Monday, all the money they got so far from the City was $12,500 but at the meeting, he admitted he picked up the second installment for the year.
“Which works out to $90.57 for the 138 days we spent on the streets and 60 cents per person,” says Burrell. “So where did we go from here? We reached out to the people, and the public and together we raised close to $180,000 to buy a new home.”
He did thank some members of Council who helped, but blasted other councillors, accusing them of ignoring the issue.
“And by ignoring the problem, you may as well have been supporting the problem,” fumed Burrell. “You should be ashamed of yourselves because 150 people eating outside in a parking lot in the rain and in the snow, that shows the true leadership in our city, or the lack of leadership.”
In response, Moncton Mayor Dawn Arnold rattled off a list of 30 groups the City helps fund each year, including St. Patrick’s Family Centre, What Kids Need Moncton, the YMCA, the YWCA, Blessings in a Backpack, Poverty Mutual Aid Society, Harvest House and Inclusion Advocacy among others.
Arnold continued “there are a lot of needs in our community, and $25,000 grant every year for ten years, nobody else is getting a ten year grant, and I know that you’re extremely passionate about what you’re doing but we’re working hard and trying to help and spread it out to the greatest number.”