Prince George city councillors are supporting local charities who say they are feeling a pinch when it comes to provincial gaming funds and have been pushed into silence about that reality.
"Groups are worried if they speak out they will be penalized and their programs will be cut further. The nonprofit sector should not be afraid of the provincial government," Curtis Mayes, a coordinator at Northern Interior Communities Association, told city council Monday.
Added association president Shawn Bellamy: "We are working with the gaming branch to build a better relationship but we cannot affect the overriding political will that gives them guidance."
That's where the city's elected officials come in, she said.
"We're listening. There's no doubt we're listening," Coun. Brian Skakun told Bellamy. "I think in this day and age for charities to be fearful of speaking out because of repercussions, I think it absolutely disgusting."
Council also agreed to send a letter in support of NICA, put it forward as a late resolution for the North Central Local Government Association's May meeting and also push for it to be brought forward to the Union of BC Municipalities.
Bellamy said this year has been especially bad.
"What I have discovered that toward this fiscal year-end, the cuts are more drastic and there is an overspending in the public safety sector," she said. "There are a huge amount of reductions."
Part of the issue is a shift in the way the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEG) decides successful applicants. It's also the first year gaming has come under two ministries: finance as well as community, sport and cultural development.
Bellamy last spoke with two gaming directors - David Horricks and David Pyatt - on March 11.
"I was told of the challenges of a large amount of applications yet to be completed by GPEB and I was also told there would be a surplus of gaming revenue available at the end of this year."
But the group said they fear that money will be lost to general revenue if not used by month-end. The most recent gaming numbers show that in 2013, $135 million was spent on community organizations and $758.5 million went into the government's consolidated revenue fund for "other government programs, primarily health care and education."
That disparity in funding was highlighted by Coun. Brian Skakun.
"When this originally coming in, the goal was, at least that I recall, was it was to be a benefit to charities not just go into a general fund for different kinds of projects."
Coun. Garth Frizzell suggested UBCM resurrect a 2011 resolution to push the government to restore gaming funds to 2008/09 levels when charities pulled from a $156 million pot.
That year, in response, the province said grants are "contingent on spending priorities established by government and the funding made available each year in the budget."
UBCM also noted the government targeted groups that provide programming "in the key areas of health and social services, youth, public safety and Parent Advisory Councils" because of due economic and fiscal pressures.
At the time the province said "it might in the future review the program and its target areas," the 2011 UBCM resolution said.
In the meantime, organizations like the community arts council have had their funding slashed. It went from $42,000 in funding four years ago to $11,500 this year, according to its executive director.
"Which has turned us into 24/7 fundraisers versus the community arts council," Wendy Young said.
"Our ability to promote and carry out those programs has been severely curtailed."
Terri McConnachie, the former long-time general manager of the Prince George Exhibition, said she could relate.
"It went from a three-year guarantee funding model to having to apply annually. One year my association losing their gaming funding was devastating," said McConnachie.
"I feel for you and now that I'm on this side of the table. It's a widespread issue."
Bellamy said the gaming branch has acknowledged there are problems - like staff shortages and lengthy delays in communication with charities - and has planned to hire 10 more staff for the upcoming year.
"But those staff take time to train," she said.
On Jan. 19 and Feb. 23, the branch posted notices that it was "experiencing delays in the time it is taking to process applications for gaming event licences" for human and social services sector and event license applications.
Bellamy asked the gaming branch for something to bring to council.
The gaming branch "continually improve access to community gaming grants for non-profit community organizations that meet the guidelines," said Bellamy, reading from Horricks' statement.
"Further we are working to review and revise the guidelines with stakeholders to ensure they reflect the intent of the program which is to support community needs."
Young said communities are not getting what they need.
"Our social fabric of our community is being worn, very very thin," she said, before warning council:
"There are going to be more and more people knocking on the door of the city asking for financial support which is why we're here," Young said.
"Our voices aren't being heard, so we're hoping that you will speak up and be asking questions."
Mayes, who helps organizations with their application said the process is complex and can be too difficult to navigate for volunteers who "don't have the time or skill."
"At the beginning of the change in leadership at the gaming policy and enforcement branch, many were hopeful," said Mayes.
"It became evident immediately that the open worded guidelines were being scrutinized at a far higher level."
Added Bellamy later, "groups will find it more challenging to be eligible and they will have to closely follow the guidelines. This will eliminate many groups who do not have the capacity or the knowledge base to complete the application."
Coun. Jillian Merrick said the intent to push more standardized accounting is at odds with some of the practices.
"I have also seen instances where groups have received gaming grants without an application and so seeing both that money being distributed without applications and then existing groups going through the ringer with rigorous applications tells me something is wrong with this program, deeply wrong," Merrick said.
