Nanaimo benefits from Community Gaming Grant investments in public safety and environment

NANAIMO – Nanaimo is receiving eight community gaming grants for not-for-profit organizations offering public safety or environment programs, announced MLA for Nanaimo Leonard Krog and MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan Doug Routley on behalf of Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Selina Robinson.

“We know the important role not-for-profit organizations play in our towns and how the resources they provide make a difference in the lives of many people,” said Leonard Krog, MLA for Nanaimo. “I am excited to see that this funding will enable these organizations to continue their work protecting our natural environment and making our communities safer for all British Columbians.”

Public safety programs provide emergency and lifesaving services including search and rescue activities, volunteer fire departments, emergency preparedness, and community and restorative justice. Environmental programming gives British Columbians the opportunity to learn about and connect with nature. Other programs that benefit from these grants make a difference in the lives of animals through the running of animal shelters.

The Province is distributing $5.8 million to 137 organizations in the public safety sector and $3.5 million to 110 organizations in the environment sector. This funding is part of the $140 million that the Community Gaming Grants program provides annually to about 5,000 not-for-profit organizations.

“B.C.’s natural beauty is a big reason many of us choose to live in this province, and safety services during disasters and in our communities are essential to our quality of life,” said Minister Robinson. “Through the Community Gaming Grants program, our government is proud to support the excellent work of community organizations that help protect our environment and literally save lives, from flood zones to mountaintops to wildfire emergencies.”

Here is what recipients of the community gaming grants had to say:

“We’re very pleased and grateful to receive this important source of funding that will support our work to educate and find solutions to threats facing the Strait of Georgia. As more people learn about and understand these threats to our local marine environment and about the role of a healthy, regional ecosystem in their lives, a passion is often sparked to conserve our natural environment while supporting sustainable growth and development,” said Christianne Wilhelmson, Executive Director of the Georgia Strait Alliance.

“Provincial Government financial support offered through BC Gaming Grants is vital to the Nanaimo & Area Land Trust (NALT) in carrying out its mission – to promote and protect the natural values of land in the Nanaimo area,” said Paul Chapman, Acting Executive Director of the Nanaimo & Area Land Trust (NALT).

“The grant will be used mainly for our regular operation of “Saving Lives on the Water” on the water of the Nanaimo area.  We will be using some of it towards training our volunteers and for safety equipment for our volunteers. Also, maintaining our vessels and staying up to date with requirements from Transport Canada,” said Michel Morin, Station Leader of the Royal Canadian Marine Search and rescue – Station 27 Nanaimo.

“The Nanaimo Region John Howard Society is pleased to be a recipient of the Community Gaming Grant for our Restorative Justice Youth Mentoring program. The program is a vital part of the success of our Society’s response to at-risk youth who have been arrested for a criminal offence and referred to our program. It is a great example of a smart justice response that delivers effective, just and humane responses to the causes and consequences of crime to foster a safe and supported community,” said John McCormick, Executive Director of the  Nanaimo Region John Howard Society.

Quick Facts:

  • Every year, gaming revenues generate hundreds of millions of dollars that Government invests in key services, including healthcare and education, for people and communities throughout the province.
  • Eligible organizations can apply for gaming grant funding in one of the following six sectors: arts and culture; sport; environment; public safety; human and social services; and parent advisory councils/district parent advisory councils.
  • The next intake for the public safety and environment sectors opens July 1, 2018.
  • Please visit http://www.gov.bc.ca/gaminggrants for more information.

To apply for a B.C. community gaming grant, visit: http://ow.ly/4PAY30fHvsR