WHEREAS many recreational, cultural and other non-profit organizations are faced with closing facilities in communities, due to dramatically increased electrical and fuel costs;AND WHEREAS the Community Lottery Grants available to community organizations provide funds for capital projects but do not permit funds to be used for operating costs;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties urge the Government of Alberta to revise the criteria for disbursing funds from the Community Lottery Grants Program to allow funds to be allocated to organizations for operational budgets.

Deregulation of the electrical industry and the increased cost of heating fuels has created financial hardships for the operation of many community organizations. Community halls, skating rinks, curling rinks, swimming pools, libraries and many more community facilities are facing closures due to the inability to raise funds to cover the drastic increase in operational costs.With the abundance of funds received by Alberta Gaming and Lotteries, community organizations should be permitted to apply for operational funds through the Community Lottery Grants program in order to continue operating their facilities. In many rural Alberta centres, these community facilities are the only recreational means available to rural residents. Communities do not have additional funds to cover these very drastic increases in operational costs.

The AAMDC has no resolutions currently in effect with respect to this issue.