The British Columbia government spent nearly $10,000 on wine for people who attended a reception at the Union of B.C. Municiapalities convention for the province's mayors and councillors in Vancouver in September, 2011.

That was part of a total bill of $48,206.96 from the Vancouver Convention Centre, released in response to a Tyee request under freedom of information legislation. The government's tab, covered by taxpayers, included:

1,475 glasses of wine at $6.75 each: $9,956.25

496 bottles of domestic beer at $6.75 each: $3,348

seven bottles of de-alcoholized beer at $6.50 each: $45.50

88 soft drinks at $4 each: $352.00

54 bottles of fruit juice at $4.25 each: $229.50

49 bottles of water at $4 each: $196

25 dozen prosciutto and asparagus with white truffle: $950

25 dozen smoked sablefish skewers with herb butter: $1,000

25 dozen Pan-seared spicy prawn crostini: $1,000

25 dozen smoked chicken with papaya salsa on bagel chip: $950

20 dozen chevre and roasted vegetable tarts: $760

25 dozen two colour tandoori chicken skewers: $925

48 dozen pizza points: $1,440

48 dozen pakoras: $1,440

48 dozen chicken drumettes: $1,920

20 dozen vegetable spring rolls: $740

four fresh maki sushi platters: $900

11 Italian antipasto displays: $4,400

Canadian and international cheese boards: $3,600

fresh vegetable crudite with herb dip: $1,800

Security: $112

Service charge: $6,237.68

HST: $5,165.03

There was no charge invoiced for space rental, setup or electrical services.

The government reception replaced a similar event BC Hydro has hosted in past years. In 2010 the Crown corporation spent $62,000 on the reception at the UBCM convention in Whistler, The Tyee reported.

A BC Hydro spokesperson at the time said it was a good opportunity to talk with local politicians. The utility, however, decided not to host the event in 2011 and the provincial government stepped in.

Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Find him on Twitter or reach him here.