More money for non-profit community groups in BC
NDP says it's not enough
Lyle Fisher Mar 24, 2011 15:01:06 PM
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - It's only half of what they got before, but non-profit community groups are getting more gaming money from the provincial government. It works out to an extra $15 million.
Premier Christy Clark says she had to make a quick decision to restore money to community groups that needed it right away. But she adds more funding will likely be made available following a review of the gaming grant program.
"I'm going to appoint a retired judge or somebody of that ilk, who will head up a review over a period of a few months," she says. "We'll have discussion about money... about eligibility, and the way the monies are granted to community organizations. That discussion absolutely has to happen."
$36 million in community grants have been chopped by the government over the past two years.
NDP Social Development Critic Shane Simpson says community service groups deserve to get all of their funding restored. "Ms. Clark has come back and put $15 million on the table, so I assume she endorses a $21 million cut."
"It has to be disappointing for these groups that are struggling, that they're not going to get back the money they deserves," he adds.
But Diane Ash with the West Side Family Place in Vancouver says she welcomes the extra $12,000 her facility will be getting. "I'm absolutely thrilled to know that we are receiving additional gaming funds to support our programs that support families with young children."
"Costs are rising every year; our budget is always tight," she explains, adding with this extra money, they won't have to cut some of their family programs. |
發表於 2011-3-24 18:01
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