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VICTORIA
– More than 205 organizations that
work to ensure safer and more environmentally friendly communities for all
British Columbians have received community gaming grants totalling $6.3
million, Solicitor General John Les and Environment Minister Barry Penner
announced today.
“These
grants directly support the efforts and unwavering dedication of thousands of
volunteers who are committed to helping people in need,” said Les. “Using
gaming revenue, we are able to provide funds to enable programs that enhance
and promote public safety initiatives, including disaster relief and emergency
preparedness.”
Public
safety gaming grants support the efforts of organizations to equip and train
teams to respond effectively to a wide variety of life-threatening situations
on the water, in the air and on the ground. One Victoria-based group is using
funding to create a resource which will be used to simulate challenging conditions
to provide real-life training scenarios for emergency responders. Another, in
100-Mile House, is using funding to replace outdated communication equipment
that is crucial to search and rescue efforts.
Environment
sector grant recipients must deliver programs that enhance British Columbia’s
environment or protect the welfare of animals and wildlife. As an example, a
Kamloops-based organization is using funds to foster a greater understanding
and appreciation of the ecological, social, economic and cultural importance of
the province’s grasslands. Another grant recipient, in Vancouver, is a
community-based resource group, created and driven by youth, which helps build
capacity for good growing and greening projects.
“We’re
grateful for the work these volunteer organizations do to help communities to
provide sustainable solutions to environmental challenges,” said Penner. “This
can improve the quality of life for all of us.”
To
be eligible for grants, recipients must be non-profit, provide a direct service
to the community, and deliver programs and services established and maintained
by volunteers. Long-term community benefits must also result from the program.
The
revenue for community gaming grants – more than $143.5 million to be shared by
approximately 6,300 community organizations this year – is generated from
commercial gaming conducted by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation on
behalf of the Province. Public safety and environment sector gaming grants are
distributed to eligible organizations once a year in November. For a complete
list of organizations receiving these grants and other information on how
gaming revenue benefits British Columbians, go to: www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/gaming/
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contact: |
Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch 250 952-6652 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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