Minister, opposition leader have ‘concerns’ about Metro Vancouver spending

A subdivision of the Metro Vancouver Regional District is facing questions astir its spending and mandate.

Invest Vancouver was started astir 5 years ago, with a extremity of promoting determination economical development.

“Metro Vancouver needs to beryllium focusing connected the basics. They request to beryllium focusing connected getting america our determination h2o and sewage proviso connected clip and connected budget,” said Carson Binda, B.C. manager for the Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation.

Staff with Invest Vancouver precocious travelled to Portugal for Web Summit Lisbon, posting astir Stella the robotic dog, slayer yoga moves, and a reception.

The travel has prompted concerns from Opposition BC Conservative Leader John Rustad.

“I deliberation it is precise irresponsible that radical from Metro person gone retired connected question erstwhile each of their expenses and each of their budgeting needs to beryllium reviewed,” helium said.

Metro Vancouver communications unit defended attendance astatine Web Summit Lisbon, noting it was subsidized by national funding.

Invest Vancouver’s apical executive, Jacquie Griffiths, earns much than $222,000 per year, positive astir $42,000 successful taxable benefits, and she billed $46,000 for expenses past year.

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When asked astir Invest Vancouver, B.C.’s Housing and Municipal Affairs Minister Ravi Kahlon told Global News said helium had “some concerns.”

“And truthful I’ll beryllium gathering with Metro Vancouver precise soon, and we’ll beryllium talking astir however we tin bash the fundamentals,” helium said.

“Making definite that we’re spending dollars the champion mode we tin to service the radical of British Columbia.”