City of Brantford hosted a community recognition event at the newly renovated Auditorium at the Brantford Civic Centre, to acknowledge the significant impact that revenues received from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) have made to the Brantford community on Thursday, October 19, 2023.
Speakers at the event included, former Olympian and member of Canada’s National Women’s Hockey Team, Jocelyne Larocque.
Since 2001, the City has re-invested casino funds through annual contributions to not-for-profit organizations, administered by the Brant Community Foundation.
“This event is an important opportunity to recognize the considerable benefits we experience by re-investing casino funds back into our community,” said Kevin Davis, Mayor for the City of Brantford. “The City values the strong relationship we’ve built with OLG, who continue to exceed our expectations as a corporate citizen and generous contributor to our community.”
Kathleen Devine, Senior Manager of Municipal Relations of OLG, said they are “proud of the relationship they have built in Brantford.”
“Each and every year, 100 per cent of OLG profits are reinvested in Ontario to support provincial priorities. From critical infrastructure to important local programs, to community festivals, OLG’s profits are hard at work in Brantford and all across our province to build stronger communities. Since the casino was first introduced to the community, the City of Brantford has received over $97 million from OLG as a casino gaming host community,” said Devine.
“Over the years, funding from OLG has enabled the City of Brantford to infuse much-needed financial support to the City’s vibrant charitable sector through its community grant program”, explained Anne Marie Peirce, Executive Director of the Brant Community Foundation. “We are pleased to be part of this program that assists not-for-profits to continue the great work they do for our community.”
To date, the Brant Community Foundation has administered over 1,300 grants on behalf of the City. Many of these organizations would not be able to continue to deliver vital programs and services to our community without the much-needed support of the City and the Casino Legacy Fund.
Legacy projects funded by the City include the extensive renovations to the Civic Centre to welcome the Brantford Bulldogs, Physician Recruitment, Canada Day Events, Public Arts, Cultural Programming, SPCA, Mental Health and Wellness Supports, the Downtown Revitalization project, Harmony Square, the Public Library Expansion, Farmers Market Renovations, Trails/Waterways projects and the Youth Resource Centre to name a few.
