BC Hydro, ICBC, and the BC Lottery Corporation have purchased $1.4 million in Olympic tickets to hand out to people who conserve energy, give to brokers and repair shops, or create incentives for retailers and suppliers.

These Crown Corporations are funnelling yet more money to VANOC, money that could be used to lower hydro rates or ICBC premiums. While families with children face higher heating costs, BC Hydro execs will be enjoying hockey games from the comfort of luxury suites.

The irony of conservation programs is as people use less energy, BC Hydro will have to increase rates to pay their high salaries and bonuses, and pay for its capital projects. BC Hydro does important things like tag fish with radio transmitters then fly planes over rivers to track them. I wonder how many flights over the town's sewage systems are made after the latest fishing derby.

Worse still, these Crown Corps are monopolies, so what is the point of an incentive program? TIckets or no tickets, they are the only games in town so if you want to play, you have to play with them.  

This is yet another example of the hidden costs of the Olympic games in Vancouver, games that will cost billions and leave B.C. taxpayers with a legacy of debt.

By: Maureen Bader
Posted: September 24, 2009
Topic: British Columbia

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