B.C. Premier Christy Clark is restoring $15 million to provincial gaming grants, but critics say the amount isn't even half as much as what's been yanked away from charities in recent years.
Clark says the total grant budget to non-profit community groups is now $135 million, and the new money will provide additional funding for more than 2,000 groups.
"It means that fairs, festivals, museums, youth arts and culture groups and community organizations and community education groups will be restored to 100 per cent of their historical funding," Clark told reporters Thursday morning from a non-profit drop-in centre in Vancouver-Point Grey, the riding that could soon become a byelection battleground now that former BC Liberal leader Gordon Campbell has resigned his seat.
Clark says more money is also coming for parent advisory councils, cadet and scout troops, food banks and community centres, but did not provide specifics.
"This money means an extra $5 per student from K-12 for extracurricular sports and music programs," she said. "It means $25 for children in scout groups and cadet corps to help cover registration costs."
New Democrat housing and social development critic Shane Simpson calls the announcement "disappointing at best," saying the money doesn't come close to the $36-million drop in funding under Campbell's leadership.
"The government funded $156 million two years ago. They cut that funding to $120 million. Miss Clark put 15 back – less than half a loaf – so essentially she's endorsed a $120-million cut to community groups," Simpson said.
Clark said the funding restoration is just a first step at revamping the provincial gaming grant program, which has come under fire in recent years.
