Remember last month when I posted pictures of the B.C. Government’s ridiculous JobFest promotional package? My blog post prompted a classic Mike Smyth column where the provincial government said 2,000 kits were created at a cost of $40 a pop.

Well, on Friday, I got my Freedom of Information Act (FOI) request back to see how much these kits really cost—and who they were sent to. And it certainly calls into question the numbers Mike was given in August.

First, the FOI says 1,321 kits were produced at a cost of $47.78 each (grand total of $63,119.14). The mailing list includes 1,321 organizations that received one. But apparently 2,000 boxes were produced, according to one of the line items. Where are the other 679?

Worse, the cost breakdown does not seem to include either the pen or the “foldable, metallic water bottle” in the cost. That likely takes the total cost over $50 a package.

Here’s the cost breakdown from the FOI. 

The organization list (which is more than 100 MB and too big for me to post here—if you want it, e-mail me at [email protected]) reveals that 1,321 organizations received a kit.