VICTORIA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today called it a case study in "Corporate Welfare 101," in response to the B.C. Lottery Corporation's plan to share sports lottery proceeds with the NHL's Vancouver Canucks.

"While Solicitor-General Rich Coleman may believe that giving millions of dollars to professional sports franchises is 'basic marketing 101,'" said David Hanley, B.C. Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, "taxpayers would be forgiven for having skipped that class, given its lack of substance, integrity and realism."

The three-year partnership, which involves scratch-and-win tickets, is expected to reap $8 million in revenues in the first year. Under the agreement with the Canucks, the lottery corporation will keep $6 million, which will go into general revenues, and the NHL franchise would take home winnings of $2 million.

"Why does a reportedly profitable sports franchise with a multi-million-dollar payroll deserve a handout " asked Hanley. "Taxpayers might rightfully wonder if the Canucks' unofficial farm team is the Victoria Knuckleheads."

Canadians already subsidize pro sports across the country. Corporate boxes at GM Place and company-owned season's tickets are all business write-offs. Taxpayer-owned corporations (Purolator, etc) and the Government of Canada itself buy ads in NHL rinks, all courtesy of the taxpayer.

Hanley added: "But governments, including Mr. Coleman's Knuckleheads, seem convinced of the merit that profitable private companies, like the Canucks and other sports franchises, deserve a subsidy. What Mr. Coleman deserves is time in the box to think this one over."