BC Hydro Spent $62,000 on Party for Politicians

 Andrew MacLeod, Today, TheTyee.ca 

conference centre

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."