Gov't Backs Out of Vancouver Outgames

The British Columbia government has backed out of a verbal commitment to financially support the 2011 Outgames in Vancouver, Canada's Xtra reports. Government officials initially promised to contribute $400,000 to the event, according to an Outgames chairman John Boychuk. That commitment was then reduced to $150,000 to $200,000. Now they say, "'We can’t continue to commit to any amount,’” Boychuk says.

Provincial officials say the economic climate has caused them to rethink their community grants, placing focus on low-income and disabled residents and programs that provide food, shelter, and support for at-risk individuals.