NEW WESTMINSTER – New Democrat MLAs Jennifer Whiteside and Aman Singh say that funding through the province’s Community Gaming Grants (CGG) program will support local learning opportunities and extracurricular activities for children in schools.

Extracurricular activities are so important for students so they can connect with their friends and maintain their physical, social and mental health,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education and MLA for New Westminster. “Through Community Gaming Grants, PACs and DPACs across the province provide a wide range of extracurricular activities for students, allowing them to build new friendships, develop life skills and share more experiences together.”

Funding for Parent Advisory Councils and District Parent Advisory Councils supports a variety of extracurricular activities and programs, including field trips, sports equipment, music, and writing and debate competitions. Through the CGG, the province provides annual funding to PACs and DPACs to support their work.

“Setting children up for success is a priority for parents and for our government,” said Aman Singh, MLA for Richmond-Queensborough. “By investing in extracurricular activities and programs, students will have the opportunity to be active, learn new skills, and have fun while doing it.”

In New Westminster, a total of $140,400 is being distributed to 15 groups. Across the province, more than 1,300 PACs and DPACs are receiving over $10.7 million in funding for the 2021-22 school year.

Schools receive funding each year through PACs and DPACs to fund activities that benefit the health, social and cultural well-being of students.