Some members of the Acadian community say they are facing burnout due to stagnant funding that is leaving staff spread thin.

Organizations say the money granted by the Department of Canadian Heritage to the Acadian community hasn't increased since 2004, but in that time more organizations have sprung up, meaning each group receives a smaller portion.

Twenty-nine organizations that fall under the umbrella of the Acadian Federation of Nova Scotia share $1.7 million annually.

Marie-Claude Rioux, the executive director of the Acadian Federation of Nova Scotia, said as a result, salaries at many francophone organizations haven't been raised in years and that's forced some people in her position to take on the responsibilities of managers, receptionists and administrative assistants.

"All executive directors are paid 35 hours a week. But we work 45, 50, 80 hours a week and it's all unpaid. We mustn't ask ourselves why we see sick leave and burnouts, the reason is right in front of us," she told Radio-Canada.

Consideration of merging organizations

Rioux said employees are so busy doing office tasks they're struggling to do the community work they're supposed to focus on.

"We observe that's it's always a small number of devoted, hard-working people that end up exhausting themselves," said Martin Théberge, the executive director of the Acadian Cultural Federation of Nova Scotia.

He said employees who persevere often do it at the expense of their own health.

Martin Théberge, the executive director of the Acadian Cultural Federation of Nova Scotia, says he'd like to see some discussion of merging organizations. (Radio-Canada)

"It's true it's very demanding, but I am lucky to be young," he said. "I prefer putting my energy in the community rather than elsewhere."

Théberge thinks one solution to the financial crisis is to merge some Acadian organizations.

Rioux said she's been meeting with federal officials, pleading for help. She said a funding increase of $250,000 is needed to ensure organizations have enough money to operate.

"We're not asking for the moon," she said.