Resolutions

Whereas small town Saskatchewan is undergoing financial stress due to increased operating costs, aging infrastructure, declining populations and lack of meaningful financial support from senior levels of government; and

Whereas the Government of Saskatchewan licenses establishments and organizations to hold fund-raising events that include bingos; and

Whereas small town Saskatchewan must come up with innovative ways to reduce the burden of taxation on declining populations; and

Whereas proceeds from gaming events must be used for a charitable or religious object or purpose as prescribed by section 207(1)(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada. The four categories of charitable purpose are:

relief of poverty
advancement of education
advancement of religion and,
other purposes that are of broad community benefit as a whole; and

Whereas operations of municipal facilities should qualify as “other purposes that are of a broad community benefit as a whole”;

Therefore be it resolved that the SUMA advocate the Province of Saskatchewan, and if appropriate the Government of Canada, make necessary changes to allow gaming events to fund operating costs of municipally-owned facilities and allow municipalities to hold bingos for the purpose of offsetting costs to small communities.

2019-05