• Central Okanagan Regional District: $18,978
• Kelowna: $217,238
• Lake Country: $12,818
• West Kelowna: $37,502

Quotes:

“I am a big supporter of the Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program and the role it plays helping communities achieve their climate action goals. The $12,818 in funding for Lake Country will certainly help sustain this effort in our community.”

-          Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick

“Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program grants return 100 per cent of the carbon tax that Charter signatories pay, providing a real incentive for communities to reduce emissions. I’m proud to see the progress we’re making in the Central Okanagan towards greater sustainability.”

-          Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thomson

Learn more:

• Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program: http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/greencommunities/carip.htm

For more information:

• Full application information is available online at: http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/gaming/.

Backgrounder:

Organizations Receiving Grants:

• Kelowna-Rutland Lions Club – $35,000
• Senior Citizens Association of B.C. #55 – $13,000
• Reach Out Youth Counselling & Family Services Society – $80,000
• Air Cadet League of Canada 909 Peregrine Sponsoring Committee – $4,000
• Kelowna District 4-H Council – $4,600
• Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society – $70,000
• C.N.I.B. – Southern Interior Region – $100,000
• Rutland Elementary Community School Society – $38,350
• New Opportunities For Women (Now) Canada Society – $60,000
• Spring Valley Seniors Society – $11,900
• Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society – $53,500
• Cathedral Church Of St. Michael And All Angels – Council – $5,000
• YMCA of Okanagan Association – $175,000
• Scouts Canada – 1st North Glenmore – $2,500
• Adult Integrated Mental Health Services Society – $30,000
• Daycare Connection Childcare Society – $14,000
• Rotary Club of Kelowna – $16,000
• Clubhouse Child Care Center – $100,000
• Inn From The Cold – Kelowna – $24,000
• Central Okanagan Emergency Shelter Society – $66,000
• Project Literacy – Kelowna Society – $75,000

Organizations receiving grants:

• Elevation Outdoors Experiential Programs Association – $5,500
• Kelowna Okanagan Mission Lions Club – $30,000
• Knights of Columbus – St. Charles Garnier Council #9845 – $10,000
• Central Okanagan Hospice Association – $65,500
• Canadian Federation of University Women – Kelowna – $10,000
• Scouts Canada – 1st Glenvalley Group – $1,600
• Shrine Club #15 – Kelowna – $20,000
• Scouts Canada – 1st Westside Group – $2,300
• Westbank Lioness Club – $18,000
• Lions Club of Westbank – $20,000
• University Children’s Learning Centre Society – $14,750
• Central Okanagan Association for Cardiac Health – $50,000
• Central Okanagan Charitable Gaming Association – $20,000
• Kelowna & District Society for People in Motion – $57,000
• Kelowna Family Services Society – $22,000
• Kelowna & District Society for Community Living – $22,000
• Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs – $225,000

Quotes:

“Central Okanagan organizations have received over half a million dollars in Community Gaming Grants. These organizations really make a difference in our community, providing needed supports and fostering community involvement. They make our community a better place to live.”

-          Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thomson

“The Okanagan Boys and Girls clubs provide support to children and youth through physical, education, and social development in a safe and supportive environment. This gaming grant of $225,000 will assist the club in helping over 6,000 young people in the Okanagan each and every year. “

-          Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick

Additional information:

• Community Gaming Grants allow non-profit organizations to apply for provincial gaming revenues.
• Last fiscal year, in 2011/12, our government distributed a total of $135 million in gaming grants for eligible community programs and services.
• More than 5,300 community groups benefited from funding during 2011/12.

For more information:

• Full application information is available online at: http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/gaming/.

The funding will be used for local settlement services to support the integration of immigrants in B.C.

Quotes:

“Improving access and services to immigrants in our community is one of the cornerstones of the Welcoming Communities Program. I’m glad to see our government supporting the Kelowna Community Resources Society. This important community organization makes a real difference for new Canadians, helping newcomers to become independent and contributing members of the community.”

-          Westside-Kelowna MLA Ben Stewart

“It can be a daunting prospect to move to a new country. It’s important that we provide support to immigrants, helping them integrate into the community and search for a job. We’re pleased to be able to support local settlement and integration services.”

-          Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thomson

Additional Information:

• WelcomeBC is the province’s strategic immigration framework.
• Established in 2007, the framework helps immigrants moving to new communities in B.C. access programs and services under one umbrella.
• Funding is provided by the Government of Canada through the Agreement for Canada-British Columbia Co-operation on Immigration.

For More Information:

www.WelcomeBC.ca

Under the new rules, qualifying craft distilleries will be eligible to have full mark-up exemption on direct sales to licensed establishments and consumers. Distillers in B.C. are also now able to produce up to 50,000 litres of finished product and remain in the craft distillery category.

In order to qualify as a craft distiller and to help the province’s agricultural sector, their products will have to contain 100 per cent B.C. raw agriculture materials and be distilled by a licensed B.C. distillery.

Quotes:

“The Central Okanagan is well known for our excellent wine. But we are also lucky enough to have some excellent distilleries operating in our region as well. Changes in our government’s craft distillery policies will increase the competitiveness of this industry and help agriculture in our region.”

-         Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thomson

“Changes in the craft distillery policies offer an important benefit for our two excellent local distilleries. In addition, this policy change also supports B.C. farmers, as it requires craft distillers to use 100 per cent B.C. raw agricultural materials. I am pleased that these changes support two important industries in our region.”

-         Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick

Additional information:

• There are 14 licensed distilleries in B.C.

Previous craft distillery policy limited annual production to below 25,000 litres and applied a reduced mark-up to direct sales to the public, restaurants, bars and private liquor stores.