On this page you’ll find links to posts and articles about issues that we encourage you to respond to.
B.C. GAMING GRANT REVIEW
The British Columbia Community Gaming Grant Review is underway until Sept. 16, 2011, with live community forums, video-conference opportunities, and a request for written submissions. Visit Community Gaming Review for the Terms of Reference and details on how to participate, along with other information.
Here are some excerpts from the government website:
The British Columbia Community Gaming Grant Review is underway until Sept. 16, 2011, with live community forums, video-conference opportunities, and a request for written submissions. Visit www.communitygamingrantreview.gov.bc.ca
for the Terms of Reference and details on how to participate, along with other information.
Here are some excerpts from the government website:
1. Where does gaming revenue go?
Gaming generates more than $1 billion in revenue per year for the B.C. government.
In 2011/12
o $687.5 million went to the province’s general revenues
o $147.3 million went to health special account
o $82.3 million went to host local governments with a casino or community gaming centres
o $120 million went to charities and non-profit organizations through Community Gaming Grants, which was increased by a further $15 million announced by the Premier in March 2011.
To see how your community has benefited from community organizations, download the Gaming Revenue Granted to Community Organizations – 2009/10 Report.
For more information about gaming revenues and expenditures, please visit the Public Safety and Solicitor General website.
2. Why are Community Gaming Grants being reviewed?
o legislation
o funding formula options
o criteria and eligibility
o processes around applying or and receiving funding
o options for a multi-year funding model and
o future role of government in managing community gaming grants
In 2008-09, the provincial government provided $156 million in community gaming grants.
The worldwide economic downturn in 2008-09 saw a government deficit of $495 million in the 2009 budget. As a result, government reviewed all programs and made difficult decisions about how and where to allocate limited resources.
Community Gaming Grants were reduced from $156 million to $120 million in 2009-10, and many groups that had been funding were no longer eligible. This included adult art and sport organizations.
On March 14 2011, Premier Christy Clark announced a new Cabinet and moved responsibility for managing criteria and distributing community gaming grants from Public Safety and Solicitor General to the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.
On March 24, 2011, Premier Clark announced an additional $15 million for Community Gaming Grants for 2010-11.
The budget for community gaming grants in 2011/12 is $120 million.
From AABC Board Member Connie More:
1. The 2011/12 projected allocation is thus a cut of $15 million from the 2010-11 year and $36 million less than 3 years prior, in 2008-09. Neither inflation nor per-person population growth values are taken into account by these static-dollar figures.
2. Unless changes result from the current review, only “youth arts and culture” are eligible for funding, with no re-instatement of other arts groups that were cut in 2009.
3. It has been usual for arts & culture to receive only a small percentage of the allocated Community Gaming Grant funds, being in competition with many other types of groups for the shrinking total amount. Taking other forms of government support into consideration as well, it has been widely reported that “per capita BC continues to allocate approximately $6.54 per person for arts funds, whereas the national average is approximately $26″. (From Xtra West)
4. Changes in the types of recent government grants have emphasized short-term & “new” projects to the detriment of stable long-term support.
5. Participation in the arts should be available to everyone, and it is an important function of government to act impartially to support universal access.
6. The future role of government in community gaming grants should be clear and accountable to voters, not privatized & thus shielded from public scrutiny.
We encourage you to participate in the Gaming Grant Review, adding your voices to others in support of Arts.
And don’t forget to send:
A MESSAGE FOR PREMIER CHRISTY CLARK
Please write to Hon. Christy Clark, Premier.
First: Congratulate her on her position as Premier of British Columbia. We, in the arts community, look forward to working with her.
Second: thank her for placing the Community Gaming Grant Eligibility program in the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.
Third: Express your disappointment that the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch along with the B.C. Lottery Corporation are still in the Ministry of the Solicitor General. We see this as a conflict of interest.
Forth: Remind her that Vancouver City Council passed a motion in January requesting the separation of these agencies. Here is the text of this part of the motion:
WHEREAS:
The fact the Gaming Policy Enforcement Branch and the British Columbia Lottery Corporation is being directed by the same ministry represents a serious potential conflict in gaming priorities and raises serious concerns about how gaming will be regulated and promoted in Vancouver.
BE IT RESOLVED:
That the City of Vancouver support calls to have the Gaming Policy Enforcement Branch and the British Columbia Lottery Corporation separated into different ministries.
Send your message to:
Premier Christy Clark
Copy to:
ida.chong.mla@leg.bc.ca
shirley.bond.mla@leg.bc.ca
WILL THE $15 MILLION IN GAMING FUNDS HELP STARVING ARTISTS?
Please read three interviews with Minister Ida Chong by Jessica Werb in the Georgia Straight.
1. Conversation with Minister Chong
2. Minister Chong speaks about gaming grants
3. More from Minister Chong
(Warning: These interviews may cause you to scratch your head in confisuion and dismay.)
Write your response to Premier Clark. Let her know that arts organizations and individual artists and their families are not happy with the current situation. This is not helping! We cannot “wait” for months until her proposed review is done. Meanwhile, artists and their families are suffering, arts groups are folding, is this what she wants?
We recommend sending a copy of your message to Ida Chong ida.chong.mla@leg.bc.ca
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OPPOSE MASSIVE CASINO DEVELOPMENT IN DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER!
WE WANT A PUBLIC SPACE HONOURING VANCOUVER’S ARTS, CULTURE, AND SOCIAL SCENE.
The public hearing continues on April 9th at 10.00 a.m.t0 6.00 p.m. Write to Council, sign up to speak.
For full information, please go to our post:
Say No To Mega Casino
