Women's shelter seeks tax relief

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An organization that provides help to women and children in times of crisis is itself seeking help from the town of Fort Qu'Appelle.

At a recent town council meeting, the board that oversees the operation of the Qu'Appelle Haven women's shelter in Fort Qu'Appelle, asked the town to consider a break on its taxes.

The Qu'Appelle Haven pays about $7,000 a year in municipal taxes, said board member Joan Bellegarde. In comparison, its shelter in Regina pays about $70 in property taxes.

Under the auspices of the Touchwood Qu'Appelle Tribal Council, the board oversees the operation of two emergency shelters for battered women and children. In Regina, the shelter is known as Wichihik-Iskwewak - A Safe Place. The tribal council, through the board, took over operation of the shelters in 1995, but while the Regina shelter is licensed by the province of Saskatchewan, the Fort Qu'Appelle shelter receives funding from the federal government.

Under provincial law, provincially-licensed women's shelters are eligible for grants from the province that come close to covering the cost of municipal taxes. No such program exists for shelters with federal licensing.

"We could use that extra money in other areas," Bellegarde said. "We need more funds to assist families who are going through a lot of turmoil."

Qu'Appelle Haven has an annual budget of about $300,000, said shelter manager Elaine Kayseas. In 1997, 117 women who sought refuge from domestic abuse were housed by Qu'Appelle Haven, she said. Figures for 1998 weren't immediately available.

Council voted to refer the shelter board's request for further study.