August 12, 2025
Parteek Singh Mahal
British Columbia’s provincial government is facing scrutiny after new documents revealed that bureaucrats are spending tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on helicopter travel, often opting for expensive flights instead of taking the ferry.
According to documents obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation through freedom-of-information requests, employees at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport alone spent $93,000 on helicopter rides in 2024. This amounts to an average of five trips per week, with an average cost of $370 each way, compared to a $20 walk-on ticket for a B.C. Ferries trip.
The report highlights a “culture of waste” within the provincial bureaucracy. Other ministries also contributed to the high spending:
The Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs spent over $40,000 on helicopter travel.
The Jobs Ministry expensed another $90,000 on helicopter trips in 2024, a period when B.C.’s unemployment rate rose from 5.2% to 6%.
This spending comes at a time when the province is facing significant financial pressure. Premier David Eby has instructed his cabinet to “reduce costs for families” and review program spending amid current budget constraints. B.C.’s provincial debt is projected to increase by $23.6 billion this year, and its credit rating was recently downgraded by S&P Global, which cited a “wavering” commitment to fiscal discipline.
While acknowledging that emergency services like police, firefighters, and search and rescue teams need helicopter access for urgent situations, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation argues that non-essential flights for bureaucrats are a serious problem.
The organization is urging Premier Eby to put an end to these costly trips, stating that they send the wrong message to British Columbians struggling with the rising costs of rent and mortgages.
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