A federal-Ontario funding program to stimulate the economy and help non-profit organizations repair and expand their buildings is practically inaccessible, critics say.

"I just think it's being set up for failure," said Ottawa Centre NDP MP Paul Dewar, who has sent a letter to federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister John Baird expressing his concerns. "It's a good program.... I'm actually applauding the government for this idea, but you have to make it so it's going to be accessible and successful in the end."

The federal and Ontario governments announced July 28 that they would allow non-profit groups to apply for some of their $3-billion economic stimulus fund targeted at infrastructure.

Dewar said the Aug. 18 deadline isn't realistic, especially since it is the summer and many people may be away on vacation. In addition, accessing the application form requires a website password that the government has taken up to a week to provide.

"Why should you have to have a secret code in order to get to a public program?" Dewar asked.

He wants the government to:

• Extend the deadline.
• Make the program more accessible.

Otherwise, it will be accused of not having been serious in the first place, Dewar said.

Infrastructure Canada said it does not expect to extend the timeframe, as the goal of the fund was to get money flowing quickly and get Canadians to work as soon as possible. The department added that it worked with Ontario to develop reasonable deadlines that should not be a problem for projects that are ready to go.

Municipalities had a similar time frame, but some non-profit groups said their situation is different, due to their small staff and their reliance on fundraising for their own third of the money for the project.

"If you're in a situation where you have a need, but you don't have your plans ready yet because you didn't know there was an opportunity for funding, then the timelines being this short would be almost impossible," said Sue Garvey, director of Ottawa's Cornerstone shelter, which currently squeezes 55 homeless women into a building with a capacity of 32.

Discussions, board approvals needed

Michelle Reis Amores, executive director of Nelson House, an Ottawa-area shelter for women and children fleeing violence and abuse, said her 15-bed facility is often at full capacity and isn't big enough to serve women who come in with four children.

"They end up being crammed all into one bedroom," she said. "It's an unfortunate place to be, they don't want to be here, and when they get there we try to make it as home-like as possible, but it's really difficult."

She added that the house currently must turn away women with mobility issues, but would like to become accessible.

However, she said her organization would need time to discuss the pros and cons of any renovation or expansion proposal before submitting an application.

Perry Rowe, chair of the Alliance to End Homelessness said agencies' proposals need not only to be put together, but also approved by their boards of directors.

He added that non-profit groups seldom have the chance to improve their infrastructure, as they spend all their donations on delivering services.

"To sort of dangle a carrot in front of their nose," he said, "and pull it back with such a short timeframe, I think is highly unfair."