News

BC Hydro Spent $62,000 on Party for Politicians

The Crown corp. calls it good value for money, critics call it 'part of a pattern of wasted money.'

By Andrew MacLeod, 15 Nov 2010, TheTyee.ca

NDP critic John Horgan

BC Hydro spending 'enrages' people says NDP energy critic John Horgan

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BC Hydro spent over $62,000 on a reception at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities convention in Whistler this fall.

The Crown corporation hosted the lavish evening reception on Sept. 29 in the conference centre for delegates to the meeting of mayors and councillors from across B.C. Attendees also included reporters, MLAs, BC Hydro staff and other conference guests.

The bill from Tourism Whistler, which operates the conference centre, included $10,223.25, plus HST, for alcoholic beverages. The bill included 1,135 glasses of wine ($6.25 each), 351 servings of domestic beer ($5.75 each), and 171 micro-brewed beer ($6.25 each).

A further $37,196, plus tax, was spent on food and non-alcoholic beverages. These included 210 servings of fruit juice, 59 of San Pellegrino sparkling water and 10 de-alcoholized beers.

Other charges included an $8,061.27 tip, $264 for security and $100 for "fireplace lighting & wood."

A separate bill for $1,999.20 from Mediaco: The Presentation Company, included one-day rental fees of $1,100 for an LCD projector, $175 for a screen and $250 for a laptop computer.

The Tyee obtained the records through a freedom of information request.

Chance to talk to local government: Hydro

A spokesperson for BC Hydro said hosting the reception made good business sense for the publicly-owned company.

"BC Hydro's generation, transmission and distribution activities cover the entire province, affecting virtually every person, community and local government in B.C.," said Susan Danard in an emailed statement.

"Most locally elected officials attend the Union of BC Municipalities Conference, offering BC Hydro an efficient and cost-effective way to meet as many of them as possible in one location." Roughly 1,300 conference attendees came to the reception, she said.

"Alternative options would involve additional BC Hydro staff travel time and resources that would cost more than hosting everyone at one event," she added.

Discussions at the conference covered a broad range of topics of interest to BC Hydro, she said. They included the reliability of electrical service, the development of alternative energy, local infrastructure projects, opportunities for conservation and reducing costs for local governments, and "ways to improve collaboration to attract industry to more remote communities," she said.

BC Hydro representatives also had formal meetings with mayors, councillors and regional districts at the conference, participated in a clean energy workshop and set up an educational booth at a trade show that was part of the conference. As well, there were informal meetings, she said. "Over the course of four days, we conservatively estimate that more than 2,000 points of contact were made with local government officials."

Hydro should focus on customers, stop wasting money: NDP

But New Democratic Party energy critic John Horgan said the reception was part of a pattern of wasted money at the Crown corporation.

"BC Hydro should focus on its core business, which is providing low cost electricity to ratepayers and not holding receptions for politicians," Horgan said in a phone interview.

It should be "returning benefits to all British Columbians, not just politicians congregating at places like Whistler," he said.

He added that he doubts BC Hydro's customers will be impressed to hear the company spent tens of thousands of dollars buying drinks and food for politicians. "It further enrages people who see their bills going up and up and up," he said.

Horgan pointed out the company has been spending a lot of money lately on things that appear to be outside its core business.

The Crown corporation spent more than $1.7 million on "customer appreciation" at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Whistler and Vancouver, including more than $600,000 worth of tickets and $84,000 on food and drinks.

And a "splashy event" last April that featured Premier Gordon Campbell and others travelling to the W.A.C. Bennett dam on the Peace River to announce a step forward in the plan to build the Site C dam cost $360,000, according to a Globe and Mail report.

"These things start to add up," said Horgan. BC Hydro claims to be working to keep rates down, he said, but "it rings pretty hollow when you see them spending money on pomp and circumstance." [Tyee]

Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee's Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Reach him here.

23 Comments:

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  • whatthe

    1 year ago

    Go get em Premier John

    Then will show em how to really party!

  • Camero409

    1 year ago

    whatthe

    What do you mean? You don't make sense. Whether or not John seeks the leadership or becomes premier is of no consequence. We should be holding Hydro's nose to the grindstone. Heaven knows Gordo and the boys won't, they're busy selling out BC Hydro piece after piece. Hydro should be budgeting it's money much more carefully after the disasterous electrical contracts Gordo and the rest of the Fiberals and R of R boys negotiated on their behalf. It is still our company at this point and they should be revealing how much is spent on events like this rather than having to obtain the information through FOI!

  • Hughes

    1 year ago

    Money no object for power mongers

    And on the other side of the mountain:

    http://www.calgarysun.com/news/alberta/2010/11/13/16121031.html

    http://www.calgarysun.com/news/columnists/rick_bell/2010/11/10/16061476.html

  • Grania

    1 year ago

    I want a refund!

    I pay for the energy used in my home....not for a bunch of CEOs and politicians to party on my nickle....I do not have that many nickles left!

  • Van Isle

    1 year ago

    Because BC Hydro HAS to buy

    Because BC Hydro HAS to buy power (whether they need it or not)from these stupid Run-of-the-River projects, the outfit is literally broke. I've heard as much as $50 billion in the hole (thats billion, with a B). Its obvious that the higher-ups had a plan from the begining and that was to make BC Hydro insolvent, then it could be sold off, piece by piece.

  • Ramona777

    1 year ago

    Another Politician Sitting on Both Sides of The Fence

    I find it mighty ironic that Horgan is complaining about BC Hydro spending money on things outside its "core business" or on "pomp and circumstance."
    Horgan is from the the same party that colluded with the dreaded Liberals to keep the wraps on MLAs spending.
    Come on John, you can't suck and blow.

  • NicS

    1 year ago

    Compromised by BC Liberals: BC Hydro, Translink.......

    Instead of falling into the trap of criticizing BC Hydro, you could tell us how this BC Liberal gov't has held up all our legitimate crown corps, and other gov't entities to shield themselves from the backfire of their controversial decisions. The confusion that ensues pretends to show us that government doesn't know how to run a lemonade stand.

    Writing an article to expose the truths of the current BC Liberal gov't would go alot further than simply falling into their web of deceit by omitting the real truths their spin machines.

  • For a better world

    1 year ago

    A drop in the bucket?

    In addition to this entertainment frill paid by BC Hydro, the costs of sending muncipal delegates to this event is substantial. Besides conference fees and accommodations, many cities have their own hospitality rooms. Local politicians make sure they drag some of their senior bureaucrats along so they can add other expenses onto their corporate credit cards. Expenses on corporate credit cards are harder to track.

    At one time, as an austerity measure, many commuinties sent only a couple of delegates to this event. Now all mayors and councillors want to attend this party.

    This conference does provide a networking mechanism for local governments, but the costs are not transparent.

  • Skywalker

    1 year ago

    It is outrageous!

    If BC Hydro wanted to consult with their customers they could find a much cheaper way than to wine and dine a bunch of local politicians at the most expensive place in B.C. Interesting that they send selected customers a questionnaire to mail in but the people most out of touch with the average customer get an all-you-can-drink and eat party at our expense. That $62,000 would have been better spent reducing rates as would the money BC Hydro contributed to the 14 day party for Campbell's Olympics. Maybe it is time that the public selected people for on BC Hydro's Board of Directors rather than having them appointed by a bunch of upper level politicians who view BC Hydro as a cash cow every time they screw up the Provinces finances.

    Van Isle is right. This si all about sucking the life out of BC Hydro so they can say, "See, it is a money loser and we should sell it so it can be run properly - by our friends of course".

    One simple example - $100 for firewood. A whole pickup load for a party that lasted what? maybe a couple of hours.

  • jnewcomb

    1 year ago

    BC Hydro reception for UBCM good value for money

    MLA Horgan is just trying to score political points, but it makes good sense for BC Hydro to have receptions for UNBC delegates. Because so much of what BC Hydro does is very local in its environmental and social impact, cultivating good relationships with municipal leaders is important and useful.

    Neither Tyee nor Horgan mention other BC Hydro receptions held for First Nations stakeholders or for Power Smart customers because it would be more sensitive to paint those receptions in a disrespectful light - but local councillors and mayors are fair game...

  • Running Frog

    1 year ago

    HIT & RUNNING..

    *CAREFUL* - they ARE hit & run killing innocent people now - just to breed INTENSE FEAR.

  • Skywalker

    1 year ago

    @jnewcomb

    All those Local politicians are on expense accounts and an event like this is really profitable for them. I say talk to the customers not more political representatives who don't necessarily represent anyone but the same business interests represented by the Province. The same interests appointed to the Board of BC Hydro. Incestuous little group, wouldn't you say.

  • snert

    1 year ago

    $62,000, eh?

    Slow day at The Tyee, is it?

  • Okanagan Orchardist

    1 year ago

    I'm sending this to the benefactors....

    I'm sending the main article to my Mayor and Councillors with a note asking how they enjoyed their last free-loading party. Naw, that's just plain mean.

  • Logical BCer

    1 year ago

    Company policy

    As a BC Hydro employee I am required to tell you that this post is my personal opinion.

    ~$11,000 on booze... that is impressive considering the Corporate Policy is NO ALCOHOL. NO ALCOHOL can be bought with the corporate card and NO ALCOHOL can be consumed before or during work. If I have a glass of wine (personal expense) at the department X-mas lunch I have to take the afternoon off without pay.

    If you can tell me which employee got that expense claim approved we should be able to get them fired. Oh wait, who am I kidding... policy doesn't apply to the people at the top.

  • RickW

    1 year ago

    FYI, BC Hydro's former president Bob Elton......

    .....made $750,000 last year.

  • cc2005

    1 year ago

    cheated

    It is time we stood together and take back what is ours. I dont know about you but I am tried of this. I became disabled sometime ago and I am unable to work that is after paying taxes for over 25 years. I have my Canada Pension Plan disability payments called unearned income so the Province of BC can claw back $ for $ the amount I receive from Provincial support for myself as a disabled person. I receive less then a welfare person a total of 457 a month is all I receive from the Province and I paid more taxes to it then I did to the Feds. My main support is CPP but it is useless when it is called unearned income. We all pay into CPP it is not a gift. I am sick and tried and ready to fight for my rights we all need to. !st step is we need a new government in BC then Ottawa. Are resources which are owned by us as Canadians are being sold and we receive nothing for them we paid to build the dams that they are living high of the hog on.It is real my fellow citizens and it is time we stop them it is a few in Whistler and government who think they are the ones who desrve are resourses they dont. In fact all resourses are owned by Federal Government if you want to research it. But they are stealing so much they dont even bother with it it way they split it up. By phoney jobs with high pay and pensions and perks. They are very few in fact the hanger ons like new citizens who get government jobs they tell what to do so they slip into back ground and do not even go to work. Come on lets take it back eveybody is ready to we just got to get together. We need somebody with some funds to print up meeting places so we can organize and arrange to take it back.Are parents didn't fight Hitler for this they fought so we could have a fair country for all of us to live and prosperous what we have now is treason going on. we can order them out in a matter of weeks or days all we need is to just get it rolling. It my opinion we should meet at Richmond new arena the one built for Olimpics. Then organize from there. Send m email I am ready to do what i can. We are the only country in the World that is allowing this. All other countries pay profits to its citizens such as Denmark and others which are resource suppliers. Outside of places like Mexico and Some African countries which by the way are now in civil Wars over it.Why do you pay taxes when we bring in more in one day from the sale of one companies oil sands then taxes paid. Alberta has racked in $5 Billion in Royalties so far. BC is selling are Hydro and are Natural gas and want more and ever other resource is owned by us all yet we receive nothing. time to take it back and have a fair sharing government not one for the few paid for by the rest of us.

  • cc2005

    1 year ago

    stop work

    I think we should wait until Xmas and at end of Holiday and begin New Year with a bang Imean it take it all back we could all have good homes we could all have nice cars and set up fair pay . Everything we lake or profit from is owned by us. The land the water the resourses it is the peoples even the Natives have been given a fair pay off. So why are we left now. Have we become the new Natives . I mean I am Canadian Born as my father and his father and his etc. Right back to the start of Canda so I have no place else. So why are these few people getting more then we are I dont get it who said they could I didnt did you ? NO well lets take it back we have the right too all we need do is get together and do it.The RCMP really have no say if we take it over as far as I know it is out of there jurisdiction to interfere with Provincial government matters so if we as citizens of BC just go and take over the Offices as far as I know and in my Opinion we are completely and legally able to take it.nobody return to any work or any jobs at all. Lets shut it all down. Until we get fair government until we get fair representation . come on wake up you are never going to be rich and most of you will never own land or a good home at most you will just be in debt for the rest of your life meaning you will be working every day for the rest of your life. Who wants to live like that. Years ago we talked about the 4 day work week now we talk about working 7 and if married the wife and kids just to get by. Come on Banks and elected criminals dont own this place, we do SO come on man and women all of us lets go lets take it back everybody in the province wants it back now we may never get a chance like this again it time come on LETS DO IT

  • cc2005

    1 year ago

    hold on here

    I am not paying for Union Meetings parties we maybe close to it but we are not commies altered sort of state of being thou and we are a dickheadtatorship but not commies

  • crankypants

    1 year ago

    Let's face it

    Let's face it, financial restraint only applies to the individual. Crown Corporations and governments at all levels feel that it is their god-given right to wine and dine at the taxpayers' expense. Why, one would ask? It's very simple. We have entrusted our elected officials to do what they do without any constraints. We have been programmed to basically accept whatever they do is in the best interests of whatever jurisdiction they rule over.

    This particular expenditure could be viewed by many as chump change in the grand scheme of things, but chump change multiplied many times over adds up to serious money. And who gets to foot the bill? The lowly taxpayer trying to make ends meet.

  • samuidave (not verified)

    1 year ago

    hilarious!

    We are so screwed over by the gamesmanship of politics it is time we protected our nation from our government.

    Oh, wait. That cannot happen as long as we keep endorsing the corporate sector. It's better to just keep complaining about the waste, the political excess and corruption, the loss of jobs, and the lack of accountability -- despite the fact that these are all assurances you endorse when you vote for the political arm of the corporatocracy. Don't worry though, the NDP are up next and they are on your side.

    Honest. ;)

  • pender paul

    1 year ago

    noses in the trough

    Hydro is behaving like a private corporation. They've got money to burn on a party while the peasants pay and pay and pay. Originally, Hydro was formed by nationalizing BC Electric and putting the BC Power Commission and BCE together to form the new, public corporation. It was to provide a steady supply of energy at reasonable cost to the consumer. Now it just rips off the customers. Take, for example the daily basic charge which applies whether or not any electricity is used during the billing period. Where else can you charge when no product exchanges hands? I really resent paying through the nose while a bunch of over-fed politicians get to party at my expense.

  • jacksonupnorth

    1 year ago

    Snert, take care of the pennies and the dollars will take care..

    It's just so typical. Our politicians are constantly being lobbied and pandered to. That is one reason why when Hydro wants to do something insane like the Site C project the government lets them do it.

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