Spending on Richmond’s $120K holiday party ‘excessive,’ critics say

The City of Richmond is being criticized for what some are calling excessive spending on a holiday party.

On Dec. 12 last year, the city held a party at the Olympic Oval for approximately 900 city staff. The cost was $119,000, or about $132 per person.

Details are coming to light after a Global BC’s freedom of information produced 4,400 pages of records from the city.

“I think any comparison with similar size municipalities would show that this is yet again another example of excessive spending by Richmond city council,” Duff Conacher with Democracy Watch said.

Taxpayers spent about $80,000 on catering, $3,500 on wine, $3,500 on beer, $6,000 went to an event company providing mini golf and other games. A photo booth cost $1,100 and a separate professional photographer was paid $2,700.