HALIFAX, NS: Nova Scotia Government officials and their guests received hundreds of free “hospitality” tickets, golf rounds, food and booze as part of a $300,000 sponsorship of the 2014 RBC Canada Cup/Nova Scotia Open Golf Tournament.

The CTF obtained the agreements between Sportbox (representing Web.com golf tour) and the Nova Scotia government making Nova Scotia the “Host Region” sponsor for the 2014 RBC Canada Cup/Nova Scotia Open through the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Documents show that Nova Scotia Business Inc (NSBI) and Nova Scotia Tourism Agency (NSTA) signed the agreement and managed the sponsorship.

The deal included 375 “hospitality” tickets, 10 spots to play golf in the tournament Pro-Am including VIP gift packages, a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 2 speaking opportunities for Premier or Minister, a web.com player to make an appearance in government’s hospitality area, 20 signed souvenir items, 56 invitations to 3 receptions/parties, 75 general admission tickets each day and a VIP tent at the event.

On top of the $300,000 sponsorship, government officials and their guests at the  VIP tent drank 336 bottles of water/pop/Gatorade and juice, 137 bottles of beer/coolers and glasses of wine and ate about $15,000 worth of food. The hospitality bill cost taxpayers $22,805.49 or $87 per invitee.

A complete list of the province’s “rights to the event” can be found HERE

“The RBC Canada Cup/Nova Scotia Open is an opportunity to showcase all that is good about our province. It should not be used as a day out of the office for bureaucrats to golf, eat and drink on the public dime,” said Kevin Lacey Atlantic Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

The Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) also was a “Host City” sponsor, contributing $300,000 out of the marketing levy special events reserve.

The city’s agreement looked much the same as the province and included 4 golf playing spots in tournament Pro-Am including VIP gift packages (Mayor Mike Savage, Councillor Linda Mosher and two guests played), city negotiated to have Mayor Savage hand out the winners trophy, a green side interview featuring the Mayor on golf channel, 28 invitations to 3 receptions/parties, 100 general admission all week passes and a VIP tent.

A complete list of city’s “rights to the event” can be found HERE

The Greater Halifax Business Partnership (GHP), an organization partially funded by taxpayers and not subject to Freedom of Information rules, was responsible for any food and beverage costs at the VIP tent.  

A copy of the agreement between Sportbox and the Nova Scotia Government can be found HERE

Invoices for the food and drinks at the Nova Scotia Government’s VIP tent can be found HERE

A list of guests who accepted Nova Scotia government “hospitality” tickets to RBC Canada Cup/Nova Scotia Open can be found HERE and HERE

A copy of the agreement between Halifax and Sportbox can be found HERE

A list of the distribution of tickets and invitations for City of Halifax can be found HERE and HERE.