Grant increase for non-profits

Local non-profits are pleased by the province's announcement of increased gaming grant funding, but unsure whether they'll cash in.

Premier Christy Clark last week announced an increase of $15 million, bringing the annual community gaming grant budget to $135 million.

The premier also said groups that became ineligible during cuts three years ago can now apply for funding. That means those that focus on adult arts and sports can apply again, but only for $8 million of the additional $15 million. Also now eligible for that money again are environmental and animal welfare groups.

The remaining $7 million is to used to top up funding to groups that experienced reductions, including those responsible for fairs, festivals, youth arts and culture, community service and more.

The premier said the additional funding comes as a result of a review by Skip Triplett, a former Kwantlen Polytechnic University president.

Saying the $8 million now available for previously-excluded groups still comes from a smaller pool than 2009's grant budget, Delta South MLA Vicki Huntington is pleased wildlife conservation groups and others can once again apply.

"In Delta, even a little funding would go a long way towards helping OWL's (Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society) dedicated volunteers rehabilitate injured birds of prey, continue to teach thousands of local youth and fulfill the government's wildlife conservation mandate. They do what the province can't, or won't, for pennies on the dollar," said Huntington.

OWL executive director Bev Day told the Optimist her group was in the process of filing an appeal of a rejected funding application, but will now submit a new application.

Pleased some funding will be restored, Day said her group will ask for $80,000, which is less than one-quarter of the society's budget. She said OWL will be seeking funding for the care of injured birds as well as educational programs.

Burns Bog Conservation Society president Eliza Olson said it's unfortunate the premier didn't offer more for non-profits.

She said her society is disappointed the review did not address the issue of whether a 1999 memorandum of agreement signed with the B.C. Association for Charitable Gaming is legal. The 1999 memorandum clearly states charities are to receive one-third of gaming income, Olson said.

"I see why Premier Clark changed her mind about appointing a judge to oversee this review. They would've had the expertise to make that decision.

Skip Triplett, by his own admission, did not. And the government failed to give him someone with that expertise.

"Given his lack of a legal background, I think Skip Triplett did an admirable job," said Olson. "Apart from the reinstatement of environmental groups, animal welfare groups, and adult arts and sports, there is very little new in the premier's announcement."

Delta Arts Council president Rita Chaplinsky also said the 1999 agreement was broken by the Liberal government.

"Even though they are increasing funding by $15 million this year, it is still less than half of what should be going to the community groups as per the agreement that was made in order to allow expansion of gaming such as casinos in the first place. Plus a lot more organizations will qualify for the grants, which means that these funds will be spread even thinner than they were last year.

"Reinstating adult arts grants is a good thing but the arts and culture communities still have to continue to compete for dollars with the sports community," she added.

Chaplinsky said most of the funding is for special projects and capital whereas community groups that have lost funding or have had it drastically reduced need money for basic operations so they can continue to provide services.

Provincial New Democrats last week said total profit from gaming has increased by $80 million since 2008, while the government reduced grants by $21 million.