B.C. Liberal liquor policies make life harder for B.C. charities
VICTORIA – While charities across B.C. are struggling to make ends meet, the B.C. Liberals’ revised provincial liquor policies are throwing up another roadblock, say the New Democrats.
“Hundreds of schools, hospitals, theatres and arts organizations across B.C. use auctions of donated wine to help raise funds,” said Spencer Chandra Herbert, New Democrat critic for arts and culture.
“Now the Liberal government is telling these groups they will have to cancel these fundraisers because of a minor liquor policy change. This will have damaging consequences for charities across the province.”
The Belfry Theatre in Victoria, which has successfully applied for a license for the event the past two years, was told two weeks before their auction was scheduled to take place that they would need to cancel it due to changes aimed at bringing charities into line with other licence holders.
The Belfry expected to raise $20,000 from the auction this year.
“After the Liberals made the deepest cuts to arts in B.C. history, and cuts to gaming grants that impacted hundreds of other charities, the need for fundraising increased dramatically,” said Chandra Herbert.
“But instead of supporting charities’ attempts to raise money, the Liberal government is now making it harder.”
Maurine Karagianis, New Democrat liquor policy critic, noted that chaos within the Liquor Distribution Branch is nothing new for the Liberals.
“From the failed privatisation scheme, to these changes preventing charities from raising the money they so badly need, it’s clear that the Liberals are mismanaging the LDB,” said Karagianis.
Adrian Dix and B.C.’s New Democrats believe that the creative economy is vital for our future, and are committed to working with the community to ensure its success.
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