BC NDP MLAs say funding will upgrade community spaces for people in Vancouver

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VANCOUVER – BC NDP MLAs Sunita Dhir and Joan Phillip say capital project grants for local non-profit organizations will improve accessibility and upgrade community spaces in Vancouver.

“The Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House Society provides a lifeline for so many people in my community,” said Amshen (Joan Phillip), MLA for Vancouver–Strathcona. “This funding will help them build welcoming, accessible spaces where people can come together and feel a true sense of belonging.”

In Vancouver, the following organizations are receiving funding:

  • Greater Vancouver International Film Festival Society – $36,923 for upgrading the VIFF Centre’s Studio Theatre to industry standard and improving accessibility
  • British Columbia Lions Society for Children with Disabilities – $79,725 for restoration projects
  • Compaigni V’ni Dansi Society – $32,500 for a major digital infrastructure renewal to rebuild its website and develop a permanent, accessible online archive dedicated to Métis Elders’ cultural knowledge.

  • Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House Society – $250,000 for transforming a commercial space into a multi‑use community hub with program spaces, support areas, a kitchen and a mobility lift.

“The Metro Theatre fuels culture, creativity, and community here in Vancouver,” says Sunita Dhir, MLA for Vancouver-Langara. “This funding will help the theatre upgrade their facilities so they can continue to entertain and create for generations to come.”

Across B.C., 39 non-profit organizations are receiving a total of $5.1 million for capital projects through the Community Gaming Grants program.

In total, more that $138 million will be distributed through all streams of the Community Gaming Grant program for the 2025/26, helping to ensure funding reaches organizations that build connected, inclusive and resilient communities.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2026TACS0017-000286