Catholic school casino ban on hold

The ban preventing Edmonton Catholic schools from using funds raised through casinos has been put on hold.

Last month, Edmonton Archbishop Richard Smith ordered schools to stop using casino funding in a policy that came into effect October 1.

The policy stands, but in a meeting Tuesday afternoon with Catholic school board trustees, board shares, Archbishop Smith and Catholic priest, it was decided that the ban will not yet be implemented.

The group determined a phase-out plan needs to be adopted first. The Archbishop still says the principle of the policy is important.

"As a Catholic institution, we ought not to profit from any institution that we know statistically hurts people," Archbishop Smith told Global news.

No time line is in place as to where the policy will go next. The big question is how this funding will be replaced.

Currently, casino funding supplies $6 million to Catholic Schools over an 18-month period. There is no plan as to how else to acquire these funds.

The group plans to meet again before the end of the year.