WHEREAS municipalities provide critical services such as policing, fire protection, roads, water, sewer, garbage and recycling, parks and recreation services and consistently receive demands for increased service; AND WHEREAS all residents of the province contribute to the profit of the British Columbia Lottery Corporation and the Provincial Government is forecasting a profit of 1.0 billion from the British Columbia Lottery Corporation for their 200708 year: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government be requested to establish an equitable formula without affecting casino revenue currently allocated to share the profits from British Columbia Lottery Corporation with all BC local governments.
Ministry of Housing Social Development As with all revenue it receives, the Government of British Columbia uses gaming revenue to support the delivery of social and other programs to all citizens of British Columbia. In 200708, almost 100 of net gaming revenue was distributed to, or used to support, the citizens of British Columbia. Almost 1 in every 4 dollar was returned directly to communities, including: -101.8 million to local governments hosting casino gaming and for local economic development; -148.1 million to non-profit community organizations; and -5.7 million to help stabilize and revitalize BCs horse racing industry. Further: -147.3 million was directed to the Health Special Account to support health care services and programs; and -658.4 million was added to the Consolidated Revenue Fund to support other government programs, primarily health care and education. The current revenue sharing being undertaken with local governments hosting casino gaming was originally established to help those communities offset the infrastructure, social service and other costs related to hosting a gaming venue. By all accounts, most communities have experienced minimal, if any, negative financial consequences as a result of hosting such a facility and are using the revenue they receive for other, locally determined priorities.