Gov't cries budget crisis -- except for Olympics -- Funding increased but not viewed as Olympics expense
By Michael Smyth
The Province
November 24, 2009

You've probably heard how the desperately broke B.C. government has cut a lot of spending to make ends meet since the May election: …

But when it comes to those other Olympics -- you know, the REALLY special ones starting in February -- the Gordon Campbell government managed to scrape up a lot of extra loot, despite the tough times and belt-tightening.

In September, the government quietly boosted this year's budget for the B.C. Olympic Games Secretariat by more than $8 million to $40.7 million -- a 26-per-cent increase, in spite of the government's dire fiscal predicament.

…..There will be free concerts and other events during the Games and the square's outdoor skating rink has been reopened for the first time in nearly a decade.

Which is all very nice, of course. But what about that budget crisis thingy that forced all those cancelled surgeries?

"Was the decision to increase this funding weighed against the simultaneous decisions to cut vital services?" asked New Democratic Party Olympics critic Kathy Corrigan.

… Believe it or not, the B.C. Olympic Games Secretariat is not considered an Olympic expense for accounting purposes. It is not included as an Olympics cost in the government's budget.

Neither is the Insurance Corp. of B.C.'s $15-million sponsorship of the Games. Neither is the $22 million being spent by B.C. Hydro.

Ditto for the $15 million from B.C. Lotteries. And the nearly $1 million the government is spending on Olympics tickets. And the $3.5 million for Olympic torch relay events. And the $500,000 Olympic School Spirit Program…..