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More than $237K granted to Tri-Cities public safety, environment programs

The local funds are set to help Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam initiatives that include emergency preparedness and animal protection.
Kyle Balzer
Kyle Balzer
coquitlam SAR1
Coquitlam Search and Rescue (SAR) is among seven Tri-Cities non-profits on the receiving end of B.C.'s latest round of community gaming grants for public safety and environment improvements.JANIS CLEUGH/THE TRI-CITY NEWS

Some of B.C.'s latest round of community gaming grants have been earmarked for Tri-Cities programs that aim to improve on public safety and the region's environment.

Seven non-profits organizations in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam are set to receive a combined $237,500 in provincial funding from a total pot of more than $12 million.

This includes (in alphabetical and numerical order):

Public safety

Coquitlam

  • $60,000 = Communities Embracing Restorative Action Society (CERA)
  • $60,000 = Coquitlam Search and Rescue Society
  • $22,500 = Canadian Ski Patrol System - Greater Vancouver Zone

Environment

Coquitlam

  • $37,000 = Green Bricks Education Society
  • $25,000 = Rivershed Society of British Columbia (RSBC)
  • $7,000 = British Columbia Lake Stewardship Society

Port Coquitlam

  • $26,000 = Coastal Partners in Conservation Society

"We're lucky to enjoy beautiful parks, accessible trails, and essential watersheds in our region," said Coquitlam-Burke Mountain MLA Fin Donnelly in a news release.

"I'm pleased our government is committed to supporting local organizations who work tirelessly to protect local watersheds and ensure people can enjoy the outdoors safely."

The province explained the public safety grants are set to address supports needed in restorative justice, firefighting, search and rescue, emergency preparedness and community safety.

For environment, the money will aid in animal protection, conservation and environmental awareness programs.

Community gaming grants provide $140 million per year from gaming revenue to support nearly 5,000 not-for-profit organizations that deliver services to people in B.C. communities.

"By supporting these organizations, we are supporting the critical work they do to keep our communities safe, foster social justice, and promote environmental education and sustainability," added Selina Robinson, Coquitlam-Maillardville MLA, in the same statement.

The next round of applications for public safety- and environment-specific grants appears to begin July 1, according to the B.C. government's website.