BC Hydro cuts costs by giving up luxury Canucks’ suite

By GORDON HOEKSTRA, Vancouver SunJanuary 2, 2012
BC Hydro is unloading its luxury Canucks’ suite, saying it was the right thing to do during a time of upward pressure on rates for its customers, according to documents obtained by The Vancouver Sun. The Crown corporation spent just under $1 million on Canucks’ suites and sponsorships between April 1, 2007, and Aug. 29, 2011.  The luxury suites were used to fete major industrial customers, allowing Hydro to take its energy conservation push from the “boiler room to the board room,” the Crown corporation says.  The suites come with satellite TV and a private restroom, and access to catered food, wine and other beverages. The cost is about $70,000 a year, but suite holders must also purchase playoffs tickets at an additional cost. Hydro also spent more than $10 million on charities and other sponsorships during the five-year period, also aimed largely at delivering a power conservation message. The findings were obtained under a provincial freedom of information (FOI) request that also showed the B.C. Lottery Corp. spent $9.3 million on sponsorships, tickets and other promotions during the same period, largely with the Vancouver Canucks. (more)