BOUNDARY-SIMILKAMEEN – New Democrat MLA Roly Russell says local organizations will be able to restore local ecosystems, rescue animals, and keep people safe with funding from the Community Gaming Grants program for environmental public safety initiatives.

“There are individual and organizational champions in all of our communities focused on keeping people and the environment safe,” said MLA Russell. “We are so fortunate to have so many organizations undertaking that work, whether it’s search and rescue, fire protection, ecosystem conservation, animal protection, or points between. I want to thank every one of the people involved in all of these organizations for all that they do for our communities.”

Across Boundary-Similkameen, four community organizations are receiving nearly $205,000 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 five local not-for-profits are receiving $167,000 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.