September 26, 2025
Parteek Singh Mahal
British Columbia’s finance minister, Brenda Bailey, is facing intense criticism from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) for what the group calls “unacceptable” luxury spending on a recent business trip. The CTF’s BC Director, Carson Binda, claims the minister’s expenditures, which include a $6,600 bill for an SUV rental from a limousine service, are particularly egregious given the province’s projected $11.6 billion budget deficit, which Binda claims to be originally $14.3 billion.
In an interview with RED FM’s Harjinder Thind Show, Binda stated that the minister’s actions demonstrate a “culture of waste” and financial mismanagement at a time when British Columbians are struggling.
The core of the controversy is a $6,600 charge from a luxury limousine company, JR Limo Car Service, for a four-day rental of an SUV and driver. Binda pointed out that the company markets itself to “pop culture icons who never drive,” highlighting the extravagant nature of the service.
When asked about the minister’s defense that she rented an SUV, not a limousine, Binda dismissed the distinction. “What we are concerned about is that $6,600 bill that she thought it was appropriate to leave with taxpayers,” he said, emphasizing that the cost, not the vehicle type, is the primary issue.
Binda also criticized the minister for expensing high-end meals at restaurants, including steak and seafood establishments. He argued that the minister made no effort to save money, even while taxpayers are facing financial hardships. “This type of extravagance… is unacceptable,” he stated.
The CTF director linked the minister’s personal spending to the province’s broader financial issues. He noted that Minister Bailey recently unveiled a fiscal update that “blew past her own deficit target by $665 million.” Binda claimed the actual budget deficit forecast, including settlement money, is closer to $14.3 billion, not the officially reported $10.9 billion or the later $11.6 billion.
Binda highlighted the severity of the financial situation, stating that interest on the provincial debt is costing BC taxpayers approximately $100 million per week. He argued that with emergency rooms closing and court services struggling, there is no money to spare for “luxury meals and limousine service companies.”
When confronted with the minister’s reported comment that she would “do it again,” Binda expressed disbelief. “I think that just shows how out of touch this finance minister is,” he said. He suggested that her attitude explains why she delivered “the worst ever fiscal update for our province, borrowing more money than any other finance minister in history.”
Binda concluded by criticizing Premier David Eby, who has reportedly told his ministers to find savings. Binda said Minister Bailey “can’t even find savings by taking a taxi or an Uber instead of renting this luxury SUV… she can’t even find savings by skipping a steak dinner and going somewhere more affordable.” He called it a “culture of waste and a culture of mismanagement that David Eby is allowing his ministers to get away with.”
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