The First Nations communities of Pelican Narrows and Sandy Bay are sharing in the latest round of grants from the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA).
In Pelican Narrows, grants for Opawikoscikan School ($3,232), Wapaw Recreation ($2,029) and Wapanacak Community School ($755) total just over $6,000.
A little over $5,000 in grants is going to Sandy Bay with the Sandy Bay Community Resource Centre ($4,802) and Sandy Bay Recreation Board ($217) benefitting.
Across Saskatchewan, more than 700 groups and organizations are receiving some $1.5 million through the SLGA’s charitable gaming grant program.
Groups that receive funds through licensed charitable gaming (bingo, raffles, breakopen ticket sales, Texas Hold ‘em poker and Monte Carlo events) receive a quarterly grant equal to 25 per cent of net proceeds raised through these activities.
Positive signs
The Manitoba government is touting positive economic signs from 2014.
Deputy Premier Eric Robinson said that for the first 11 months of 2014, Manitoba’s unemployment rate averaged 5.4 per cent, third-lowest among provinces.
As well, for the first nine months of 2014, average weekly earnings in Manitoba were up 4.1 per cent, second-best among provinces, according to a government news release.
“We look forward to the new year ahead and the work that will ensure our province remains an exciting and dynamic place to live, work and play,” said Robinson.
Registry targeted
Manitoba’s opposition Progressive Conservatives are chastising federal New Democrats over plans to revive a form of long-gun registration if they win the next election.
“Canadians remember well that the former long-gun registry, which essentially targeted law abiding gun owners such as hunters and farmers, cost Canadians billions of dollars and was plagued with errors,” wrote Kelvin Goertzen, justice critic for the Tories, in an op-ed. “And because criminals don’t register their guns, it didn’t make Canadians safer.”
Goertzen said the Manitoba NDP has “gone silent” on the issue, which “should be concerning to farmers, hunters and law abiding gun owners.”
