Prince George charities say B.C. Solicitor General Rich Coleman has given assurance he will provide interim funding that will fill a gap created as the province changes its community gaming grant system.
During a meeting earlier this month in Prince George, the charities also say Coleman told them funding would be restored to 2009 levels of $159 million, a nearly one-third increase over last year's levels.
Communication officials in Coleman's office would not confirm on Wednesday the minister had made the promises, saying only the minister could speak to the issue.
Coleman was not available for an interview.
Prince George-Mackenzie Liberal MLA Pat Bell said he knows Coleman committed to review the need for interim funding for those charities in critical need. Bell, the forests minister, said he didn't know what was the status of the reviews.
While B.C. Liberal leadership candidates George Abbott, Christy Clark and Kevin Falcon have all said they would raise funding to charities, Coleman's promise, if true, would be the first official indication government intends to take action on the funding issue.
The meeting -- arranged by Prince George Liberal MLAs Shirley Bond and Bell -- was called to address concerns raised in a Citizen story published in January.
It has organizations like the Hart Pioneer Centre feeling more hopeful, although the group does remain cautious.
"We feel a little more comfortable, but we still don't have assurance [specifically for the centre]," Hart Pioneer Centre president Stuart Hayne said Wednesday.
The Hart Pioneer Centre became alarmed when it learned it was not eligible for gaming grant funding in 2011, which traditionally constituted about one third of its $180,000 annual operating budget.
The centre is expecting to find out whether it will be approved for 2012 funding at the end of February, said Hayne. He had no idea about the size of any interim funding.
Hayne said the group will keep its doors open, noting bookings to their hall are lower because of the closure concerns.
The Northern Interior Communities Association is also feeling more optimistic that funding concerns -- some of which are critical for their 91 groups -- will be addressed.
During the meeting with Coleman, Shawn Bellamy, the president of the communities association, said she was prepared to go to war.
However, Coleman provided assurance the increased funding would go ahead because the cabinet and the Liberal Party were behind the changes, she said.
Coleman also promised to provide interim funding for charities hard hit by the changes, following a review that would include the Hart Pioneer Centre, said Bellamy.
"We're very hopeful," she said.
NDP leadership candidate Adrian Dix is not putting much stake in the promises.
He said the Liberal government could have taken action on the gaming grants in Tuesday's budget, but did not.
Noting that Coleman sat next to finance minister Colin Hansen when he delivered the budget, Dix said it was a perfect opportunity to deliver on their promises.
"They failed," he said. "It tells all of us, we have to keep the pressure on."
During a leadership campaign visit to Prince George earlier this month, Dix called for gaming funding to be restored to previous levels.
Bell said the budget, which includes a $600 million contingency and a $350 million forecast allowance, provides a significant amount of flexibility.
That will would allow the future leader to invest in the gaming grant program, he noted.
