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First Nations communities in B.C. are receiving provincial funding to compensate for the loss of shared gaming revenues.
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B.C., First Nations leadership help communities recover
Published 12:53 PDT, Fri April 22, 2022
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First Nations governments financially challenged by the pandemic and natural disasters will benefit from a one-time provincial grant that makes up for the loss of shared gaming revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
First Nations have been hit hard by the pandemic and subsequent fires and floods. In many cases, funding intended for initiatives such as home construction, language revitalization, and community improvements has been used to meet immediate daily needs instead.
Adding to this challenge, gaming revenues for 2020-21 were approximately 80 per cent lower than anticipated due to pandemic health measures. The $74-million grant will mitigate the loss of revenues that had been crucial to supporting First Nations governments' priorities, such as social services, education, infrastructure, cultural revitalization, and economic development.
One example is Tseshaht First Nation, which had to significantly reduce in scope or put on hold several community priorities. These included ongoing governance and policy development, exploration of a small/tiny home initiative, a Tseshaht history book, a gym/multiplex/wellness building, a potential retail space for members to rent and use to sell arts and crafts, and Tseshaht's vital program for language preservation.
"I am pleased that First Nations communities in British Columbia will be offered opportunities to benefit from this $74-million grant to the BC First Nations Gaming Revenue Sharing Limited Partnership,” said Regional Chief Terry Teegee of the B.C. Assembly of First Nations. “Gaming revenue sharing is a vital source of funding, and this contribution will be welcomed to support economic growth and economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. First Nations have been hit the hardest by the socioeconomic consequences, and it is critical that they be able to design their own recovery policies and address their specific needs. Providing these resources will enable First Nations' participation in the province's 'build back better' priority on their own terms."
The funding provided through this grant will see those projects go ahead and will continue to offer needed financial stability that will enable Tseshaht leadership to continue supporting their members and their priorities.
Under the long-term agreement, the province is committed to sharing seven per cent of annual net provincial gaming revenues with First Nations communities through 2044-45. From 2019 to 2021, seven per cent of BC Lottery Corporation net income was almost $123 million.
For more information on the BC First Nations Gaming Revenue Sharing Limited Partnership, visit: https://www.bcfngamingrevenue.ca/
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