Victoria lifts funding freeze for non-profits

A controversial funding freeze that hit the budgets of community groups across B.C. has been lifted.

Housing and Social Development Minister Rich Coleman announced the thaw Wednesday. He stated that the funding of direct access grants, worth nearly $35 million, would be re-instated immediately.

Direct access grants come from B.C. Lottery Corp. revenues and help to fund anything from social services to arts, amateur sports and children's associations.

The ministry announced it would be reviewing the BCLC funding, and still may distribute less money to the nearly 7,000 groups it aids, according to a ministry spokesman, who refused to be named.

Susan Marsden, president of the BC Association for Charitable Gaming, said she's happy with the news, though she's uncertain about the fate of groups that apply for gaming funds in the future.

"While we're thankful the funds will be released, this is not new money," she said in a statement Wednesday. "Much of it had already been committed to charities that felt they had a solid agreement with the government."