The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has slammed the BC NDP following revelations officials billed British Columbians thousands for luxury commutes.
A former top aide to Premier David Eby, for example, took dozens of taxpayer-funded helicopter trips between Vancouver and Victoria in the first half of 2024 alone.
According to the CTF, access-to-information records showed that Matt Smith flew from harbour to harbour 36 times between January 8 and August 29, at a total cost of $12,445. During the two years he served in that position, he took home $761,000 in compensation.
"British Columbians are struggling while political insiders are living the high life and using helicopters for their commutes," CTF BC Director Carson Binda said. "Taxes are going up so the premier's staff can travel in luxury."
The records showed each helicopter trip cost an average of $345. To put that in perspective, a one-way fare from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay with BC Ferries costs just $15 for a walk-on, and $80 with a vehicle.
On March 7, Smith and Eby's deputy chief of staff Don Bain both travelled from the island to the mainland. The former billed taxpayers $435 for a helicopter ride, while the latter opted to drive over via the ferry.
"If Smith had ridden shotgun with his deputy, taxpayers would have saved $435 on March 7 alone," Binda noted. "Smith's colleagues in the premier's office travel between the mainland and island with BC Ferries and he should have too."
Per the CTF, the premier's office has gone on a spending spree over the past five years, with the budget rising from $11 million in 2019 to a projected $17 million in 2024. Meanwhile, British Columbians have suffered, with food bank visits increasing by 81% during that same time period.