How nice that the one time the provincial Government decides to increase funding for BC Parks, that nearly all the money is then immediately transferred to private for-profit park operators to compensate them for Covid closures.
No new trails, no new rangers, just bailouts for private companies.
So much for saving money through privatization and capitalism.
This from Steve Jones.
"Some interesting notes from the Hansard today:
The Ministry of Environment applied for and received $8.1 million in additional funds for BC Parks due to COVID-19. However, they then transferred almost all of that money to the private for-profit park operators. A portion of that money was direct compensation to the private for-profit park operators for lost revenue during the closures. I'd like a lot more transparency into that.
"Hon. G. Heyman: Thank you to the member for the question. We applied and received $8.1 million of the $3.5 billion for expenses related to B.C. Parks, to support additional park maintenance, including compliance patrols to enforce the closures; to prepare parks for a gradual reopening that started in mid-May, when restrictions began to be relaxed and continue to this day; to purchase personal protective equipment, equipment and signage to manage park visitors; and to provide enhanced cleaning of high-touch surfaces when parks reopen.
Much of this was supplied to park operators, and there was also some compensation for lost revenue — all of it wrapped up in the $8.1 million."