NORTH VANCOUVER – New Democrat MLA Bowinn Ma says local organizations will be able to restore local ecosystems, rescue animals, and keep people safe thanks to funding from the Community Gaming Grants program for environmental and public safety initiatives.

“Non-profit organizations on the North Shore do so much for our communities, from ensuring public safety to environmental conservation,” said Bowinn Ma, MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale. “I’m deeply grateful for the work that the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC and Seymour Salmonid Society do to protect some of British Columbia’s most important and iconic animal species. I also want to thank the North Shore Lifeboat Society and the North Shore Restorative Justice Society for the ways they respond to and reduce harm in our community.”

In North Vancouver-Lonsdale 2 community organizations are receiving $196,550 in grants for public safety work. This can include volunteer firefighting, marine and land search and rescue operations, crime reduction and restorative justice, and emergency response and communications.

Another 2 local not-for-profits are receiving $42,500 for environmental initiatives such as ecosystem conservation, animal welfare, and education and outreach programs.

Over $10.5 million is being distributed through the Environment and Public Safety streams of the Community Gaming Grant program for the 2021/2022 fiscal year. $140 million are distributed annually though Community Gaming Grants to roughly 1,500 community not-for-profit organizations across all streams of the program. These grants help organizations build strong, vibrant communities across B.C.