VICTORIA, B.C.: Peter Milobar, Conservative Critic for Finance says that the updated cost projections to B.C. for the World Cup show the tremendous irresponsibility of the NDP government, and their plan to offset the costs with taxes is even worse.

The provincial government has announced that the costs of hosting World Cup matches are estimated to reach up to $729 million. With seven games being played in Vancouver, each match is costing taxpayers over $100 million. This is a major increase from last year’s estimates of between $532 million and $624 million.

“These cost overruns are par for the course with this NDP government,” said Milobar. “And they have known about this number for a while but purposely waited until after the legislative session to release it, hoping to avoid accountability.”

The NDP government says that the costs will primarily be offset by the Major Events Municipal and Regional District Tax, which adds a 2.5% tax on short-term accommodations in Vancouver for the duration of the World Cup. But while hotel bookings for the World Cup are significantly lower than anticipated, British Columbians are still going to need to travel to Vancouver.

“The realities of life don’t pause during the World Cup. This World Cup tax increase is going to be paid by British Columbians who need to come to Vancouver,” said Milobar. “Think of the rural British Columbians, who because of NDP healthcare failures must come to Vancouver for medical treatment. Or the parents who need to visit their children studying in Vancouver. With tourism down, the costs of the World Cup are going to fall on ordinary British Columbian through higher taxes.”

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