VICTORIA, B.C. — Solicitor General Rich Coleman says he's increasing the amount of grant money he hands over to B.C. community organizations this year, but admits the amount of cash has been dropping.
Coleman says in 2008-09 the government provided $156 million in gaming grants, and this year the number is $120 million despite the government taking in more than $1 billion in lottery and gaming revenues.
Coleman says more gaming money is going into general revenues and health.
Last year, community groups threatened class-action lawsuits over lost grants, and sports and arts organizations said they were teetering on the verge of bankruptcy.
Coleman suggests there could be further casualties this year as the government chooses to fund groups affiliated to youth, social services and people with disabilities, while axing grants to adult and environmental groups.
The opposition New Democrats say the government is taking more money from charities, arts and culture to fund its government.
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macsasquatch
1 year ago
Keep gambled money in the community
Howzzis!
Some people are going to gamble.
They are in each community.
So Howz about the gamblers in each community form a community based gambling group.
They decide what action they will put their money on.
And then, they also decide on the distribution of the extra funds, the rake off that goes to charities and local services.
It's the gamblers' money, gamblers' games, and so gamblers are responsible for the distribution in their own communities.
Frank
1 year ago
The BC Liberals are the problem
Gambling was only allowed here over the protestations of many of us on the basis that charities would benefit.
IE, the usual crowd was bought off by promises of money falling from the sky.
Well, here we are, gambling is being expanded faster than anything else in the province yet the money going to charity is declining.
Raedwulf
1 year ago
History
Bennett's 1984 restraint program shut down many government services, and stopped funding arts and amateur sports. "Restraint" resulted in huge public demonstrations. Many of the former government services were taken over by charitable organizations. I don't remember if it was part of the agreement to end the demonstrations, and planned general strike, but shortly after funding for the organizations and arts and sports groups became available from gaming. The gaming operations required volunteers from the charities to work in order for their organizations to qualify for the gaming profits.
Over the years the volunteer requirements were dropped. The government began to administrate gaming profits as grants to those charitable organizations. Now those organizations created to fill the void from the Restraint Program, are being cut off by the Campbell Gaming theft program. The Socred/Liberal anti-people circle is complete.
freebear
1 year ago
For Liberals: Know your Limit,
Play within it!
P`shaw right Gordo!
morechatter
1 year ago
Keep Campbelled Money in the Community!
British Columbians have been betting from the get go with big ticket items like skyrocketed realestate prices and the Olympics. Has it paid off for residents as big banks get all the breaks as British Columbinas must bend over backwards to accomodate the richest of the land. Banks bring in hefty profits from foreign investments. Hardly a democracy when the people are struggling and government has money only for the richest in the land.
Slow and steady wins the race as all this talk of great richs has left many suffering from the empty pockets. Mr. Campbell is a get rich kinda a guy and its fortunate for him its not his money BC premier was playing with but the futures of British Columbinas. Oh and keeping Campbelled money in the community like there is going to be any money left after Cambpell gets his hands on it.
Oh and why the boat load of unqualified immigrants that Hanson has scheduled to start dumping on BC shores? Not enough gansters shooting up the place as Hansen brings in plenty of cheap labour for the richest in the land.
Skywalker
1 year ago
Would this qualify for a Liberal version...
...of Bingogate? Expand gambling by selling the idea of more money for charities and then keeping it for general revenue, you know tax cuts for friends in business? mmmm...