Despite the announcement by Premier Christy Clark last week to boost gaming grants by $15 million, many of the organizations that were excluded from receiving gaming monies under her predecessor’s government continue to be left out in the cold.
Under Clark, what has changed is that funding has been restored to youth arts and culture groups, community service groups like Rotary and Kiwanis, fairs, festivals and museums and organizations involved in community education like parent support services.
But environmental groups, adult arts organizations, volunteer fire and rescue departments and community sport groups may still face funding shortfalls, says Cariboo North Independent MLA Bob Simpson in a press release.
Williams Lake’s Station House Gallery and Giftshop is one of those organizations left in limbo.
One third of the organization’s budget has been provided through gaming grants.
Diane Toop, gallery manager, says the gallery is running out of its gaming funds now and doesn’t appear to be eligible for more. Toop has seen other arts organizations that ran out of funding earlier than the Station House close.
“Some of the little galleries have closed so we can see what’s coming if it isn’t returned to us,” Toop says.
Clark has also announced a commission to review governance, funding formulas, and organization eligibility but has admitted it could take months for it to be completed.
Toop, however, is hopeful for the work of the commission.
“I think that the arts and culture sector has been very vocal about how important we are to all our communities, and I think people are just starting to realize that now they might lose us.”
Simpson adds what’s missing from Clark’s announcement are details on the commission’s frame of reference.
The additional funding, says Clark, will bring the total community gaming grant to $135 million. NDP leadership candidate Mike Farnworth has pledged to give 33 per cent of gaming revenue to non-profit and charity organizations, totalling $400 million, says Susan Marsden, British Columbia Association for Charitable Gaming president, adding Alberta earmarks a percentage of the profits of gaming to non profits that currently sits at $300 million.
“It’s great that she’s fulfilled her campaign promise,” Marsden says.
“Service organizations and other groups have been returned to 100 per cent is also great, but it’s very disappointing that there isn’t a grasp of how serious it is for the other charities who won’t be getting money and very worrying that they seem to think it’s OK to do policy making through the gaming grants.”
