Communities losing big on new gaming grant process, says advocate

The provincial government has changed the way it gives out gaming grants to community groups, and Shawn Bellamy says it's hurting the north. She is president of the Northern Interior Community Association, an organization that helps community groups apply for the grants. She says she's heard from her members that they are being rejected on technicalities that weren't an issue in the past.

"It doesn't allow a lot of latitude for inexperience... or the overall impact on community fabric," she told CBC Daybreak North host Robert Doane.

On the type of groups that are being affected, she says "It's every single charity group and non-profit" being affected, she says. "It's the hospice. It's search and rescue. It's your scout groups. It's your youth and adult recreation, it's arts and culture, it's public safety."

Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond says the amount of money being given out remains the same, but the number of groups asking for funds is increasing, as are the amounts they are asking for.

Bellamy says this is true, but has been told there is a surplus of funds in the gaming grants budget, and she worries it will be put into general funding rather than going out to the community.

If this happens, "it will eliminate groups" Bellamy warns. "It will eliminate programs and services, and it will eliminate jobs."