They Have a Point

New Democrats call on premier to cancel frivolous party planner

November 8, 2012

John Horgan

Juan de Fuca

 

John Horgan was elected as the MLA for Malahat-Juan de Fuca on May 17, 2005, and re-elected to the reconfigured riding of Juan de Fuca on May 12, 2009.

VICTORIA – New Democrats are saying enough is enough after learning the B.C. Liberal government intends to spend $1.5 million on a party planner to promote the first Family Day in British Columbia.

“On the heels of a $15 million advertising campaign paid for by taxpayers to promote partisan rhetoric, it is totally over the top for the B.C. Liberals to throw themselves a self-congratulatory party on Family Day,” said New Democrat house leader John Horgan.

“When is enough going to be enough? The premier’s spending spree on feel-good ads and self-promotional parties ahead of next year’s election is robbing B.C. taxpayers of the good government they deserve,” said Horgan.

Horgan was reacting to news that the B.C. government issued a Request for Proposals to “assist with family day celebrations.” The RFP closes at 2 p.m. today.

“If the premier acts before 2 p.m. today to cancel this RFP, I’ll be the first one to publicly thank her for it,” said Horgan. “British Columbians are rightly concerned about the economy and see cuts to critical services every day. It’s the mark of a desperate government to be throwing away millions to try to gain popularity with voters.”

Horgan noted there are lots of things the government could be doing that serve the public interest with the millions they are spending on partisan self-promotional ads and events.
“Seniors care, community living spaces, special needs teachers, skills training programs, replanting B.C.’s forests. The list goes on and on,” said Horgan.

Adrian Dix and B.C.'s New Democrats believe British Columbians deserve a government that is accountable and transparent and uses taxpayers’ dollars for services and programs that British Columbians need.