Why is it that the candidates for political leadership in B.C. don’t want to have a conversation about gaming in B.C., and specifically, funding cuts to programs and services?
Candidates are saying that they are happy with the choices that have been made, that they have no intention of revisiting these issues or that governments don’t make mistakes, they make decisions.
The best I can understand, they think they made a responsible decision about reducing gaming funding to charities by $40 million.
That’s $40 million that was removed from services to you, your aging mother, your dying friend, your disabled child.
In effect this is a counter tax.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars are being removed from services in our communities. Sometimes these are about life–death–health and sometimes they are about recreation–art –environment.
An argument might be made that some of these can stand to be shaken up, that some will not survive and that some will thrive; let the market find its place.
This isn’t the market – this is charity. These are services to families and neighbours, and it is charities that fill the gaps or provide government’s services.
These supports come in times of need.
The market found its place and the government cut $40 million in funding in the name of fiscal responsibility.
Why won’t the leadership candidates talk about these decisions and their impact on families? Why won’t they stand up for communities? For whom do they stand?
It began in 2010, with the affiliates in Langley, and in 2011 zero gaming funds will be paid. New criteria (yet to be announced) will be in effect for 2012. The same is true in Abbotsford, beginning in 2011 and in Chilliwack next year – and on similar schedules around the province.
Families are going to feel the effects with reduced services.
When your service, support, or activity is gone, the price goes up or more people are asking you for money, remember that candidates for political leadership don’t want to talk about it and think they’re trimming fat.
David Sheach