Thoughts on BC Politics and More

If Team Canada brings the same gimmicky craftiness to the World Cup that the NDP government displayed in disclosing the costs of hosting it, then by God, we could win this thing! The BC government’s own betting parlour (PlayNow) is currently offering a $150 return on every dollar bet on that outcome. Those government odds makers don’t seem to recognize home-field advantage. But if Team Canada learns ball-handling skills from the way the BC government juggled the hot-potato cost issue, it might be worth taking a flyer on Canada to win ... CLICK HERE for the full story

The BC government provided its long-awaited update on the cost of hosting FIFA World Cup games in Vancouver Friday, showing the tournament is either getting more expensive or more affordable, depending on how you look at it. The gross cost of hosting seven matches at BC Place starting next month is now estimated at between $685 million and $729 million, according to the updated figures the province released Friday ... CLICK HERE for the full story  

During Question Period on May 20, NDP house leader Mike Farnworth shut out Conservative efforts to find out how much the government is spending on a suite at BC Place Stadium during FIFA World Cup. The Jobs and Economic Growth Ministry told theBreaker.news that the cost for the 10-person, catered suite is $475,000, via the City of Vancouver’s host city supporters’ program ... CLICK HERE for the full story

An adjudicator has ordered the taxpayer-owned operator of BC Place Stadium to reveal more information about the promises made to FIFA. In an Aug. 19 ruling, Jay Fedorak from the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner (OIPC) rejected pleadings by BC Pavilion Corporation (PavCo) to keep portions of correspondence, a questionnaire and the host stadium contract secret. PavCo said it feared disclosure of more information to theBreaker.news about the 2026 World Cup would harm law enforcement and public safety, intergovernmental relations and the business interests of FIFA  ... CLICK HERE for the full story

Vaughn Palmer: Analysis after the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver found little long-term economic effect    ... Eby also tried to deflect those concerns by citing the supposed economic windfall to B.C. from hosting the World Cup. “We will have millions and millions of people watching games taking place here in B.C., learning about our province, enjoying the amazing soccer. This will be a huge and positive impact to our economy, that’s ongoing,” said the premier. Eby drew on a government analysis that claims B.C. will reap more than $1 billion in benefits from a mere seven FIFA matches ... CLICK HERE for the full story

BC NDP government confirms that Premier David Eby and Mayor Ken Sim’s purported June 27 memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh leaders was actually signed before last fall’s election. “The MOU will be made available when all signatories have consented to publication, and it will be posted online on the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation website,” said a prepared statement from spokesperson Jill Nessel of the Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport ministry. Nessel would not disclose what is in the agreement, but revealed it was signed 10 months ago ... CLICK HERE for the full story