British Columbia’s Community Gaming Grant Review forum will visit Williams Lake next month.
The lakecity is one of 14 communities that independent reviewer Skipp Triplett will visit. The forum will be held at the Pioneer Complex on Hodgson Road on Thursday, Aug. 18 between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Appointed earlier this month by Premier Christy Clark as the independent reviewer of the province’s community gaming grant process, Triplett will begin the 14-city tour on Aug. 11 in Campbell River and conclude with a Sept. 16 session in Vancouver.
The Community Gaming Grant Review is examining the role of government in allocating gaming revenue with input from charities, community members, industry representatives and local government.
The terms of reference include reviewing and providing options for:
•Existing legislation governing community gaming grant funding
•Funding formula
•Criteria/eligibility for community gaming grants.
•Processes involved with applying for and receiving community gaming grants.
•A multi-year funding model.
•The future role of government in community gaming grants.
Review forums will be held in the North, Interior, Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. Submissions will also be accepted via the gaming grant website and by e-mail, Fax, or mail. Triplett’s final report is due to the government by Oct. 31.
“We recognize how valuable this program is to people and communities across British Columbia,” says Ida Chong, minister of community, sport and cultural development. “The premier decided that it was time to look at the whole process of awarding community gaming grants so that the program can operate in an equitable, efficient, transparent and sustainable way. Now we’re asking British Columbians to tell us their views on community gaming grants by participating in person at a community forum or making a written submission — we want everyone who wants to, to be part of this conversation.”
Triplett says what really matters is to find out what British Columbians want.
“The way to do that is to listen to what people have to say,” Triplett says. “This Community Gaming Grant Review is all about going out and gathering the information from taxpayers, and coming back to lay out options. Ultimately, it’s about helping the government engage British Columbians to help make smart decisions with the money that comes in and to distribute it in a way that nurtures communities and is both prudent and fair.”
Community gaming grants currently help support the delivery of programs and services in the following sectors:
•human and social services
•public safety
•youth arts and culture
•fairs, festivals and museums
•parent advisory councils
•sports for youth and people with disabilities.
Gaming generates more than $1 billion in revenue per year for the B.C. government.
Find out more about the review, including the time and location of community forums, as well as registration and presentation information, through the Community Gaming Grant Review website at www.communitygaminggrantreview.gov.bc.ca.
Submissions can be made up to 5 p.m. on Sept. 16, 2011 through the website; by mail: PO Box 9827 Stn Prov Gov’t, Victoria BC, V8W 9W4; by fax at 250 356-2842; or e-mail at communitygaminggrantreview@gov.bc.ca.