Brantford has been the grateful recipient of $97 million in funding from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) since 1999, thanks to its partnership with the organization. The funds have been generated by the presence of a thriving casino in the heart of the community, now known as Elements Casino Brantford.
To celebrate this enduring partnership, Brantford recently held an event at the Brantford Civic Centre auditorium to recognize the impact of OLG revenues on the local community. The city has been able to channel these resources back into the community through annual contributions to various not-for-profit organizations since 2001, with oversight from the Brant Community Foundation.
Mayor Kevin Davis expressed the city’s gratitude, highlighting the strong relationship with OLG. Kathleen Devine, OLG’s Senior Manager of Municipal Relations, emphasized the corporation’s commitment to reinvesting profits in Ontario to support provincial priorities.
Anne Marie Peirce, the Executive Director of the Brant Community Foundation, noted that funding from OLG has enabled the City of Brantford to provide financial support to the city’s charitable sector through its community grant program. The foundation has overseen more than 1,300 grants on behalf of the city, allowing vital organizations to continue delivering essential programs and services.
The casino revenues have funded several legacy projects in Brantford, including renovations to the Civic Centre, physician recruitment efforts, Canada Day celebrations, contributions to public arts and cultural programming, support for mental health and wellness initiatives, the expansion of the Brantford Public Library, Farmers Market rejuvenation, and the Downtown Revitalization project.
In addition to Brantford, the City of Woodstock has also benefited from OLG funding. Woodstock recently received its second-quarter payment of $434,000 for hosting Gateway Casinos, bringing its fiscal year total for 2023-2024 to $785,900. Since 2001, Woodstock has accumulated $26 million from casino partnerships, demonstrating the regional impact of casino funding.
Overall, the enduring alliance between Brantford and OLG has had a significant and lasting impact on the communities, providing essential funding for a wide range of local initiatives and projects.
