We've released our latest report on the provincial government's Community Gaming Grants program. Overall, we found that government has a suitable framework in place to manage the program, but improvements are needed in four key areas.
We recommend that government enhance how it measures the program's performance. Currently, government collects and publicly reports detailed information on how it distributes almost $135 million each year to about 5,000 eligible non-profit organizations. Greater information is needed to allow stakeholders, like communities and non-profits themselves, to see the successes of the program, and to better understand how well this program is being managed.
We recognize that many organizations depend on this funding. But, $135 million is a lot of money to give out without this kind of information.
The report also points to government's need to improve its processes to better ensure its funding decisions are consistent and defensible, and grants are used as intended. Ministry staff assesses grant applicants against the program guidelines but the guidelines need clarifying and updating.
It's also time to re-assess the program to ensure its design is efficient and effective. Government hasn't stepped back to look at the program since 2011.
At the time of the audit, government was already working to improve the program. The Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch has undergone internal reviews that resulted in operational and organizational changes. And, in April, the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development took over the administration of grant awards to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
Watch our short audio/visual summary of this report.
