VANCOUVER: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today criticized Prime Minister Stephen Harper's decision to hand over more tax dollars for Olympic cost overruns. "By caving in to the demand for more tax dollars, the federal and provincial governments are saying to Olympic organizers, ask and you shall receive. Certainly this decision will do little to instill any sense of fiscal restraint for the millions of tax dollars already committed to the 2010 Games," stated British Columbia director Sara MacIntyre.

The original Olympic bid budgeted $470 million for venue construction costs. In February John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee (VANOC), revealed a 23% or $110 million cost overrun for venues.

"VANOC's first response was to ask taxpayers for more money and unfortunately the federal government's first reaction was to give in. VANOC should first look at its bottom line and cut costs or increase broadcasting and sponsorship revenues. Instead they went right to governments trough. Rest assured this will not be the last time taxpayers are hit up for more cash," noted MacIntyre.

"Security costs are expected to balloon out of control, as is medical and emergency costs and of course, advertising and personnel budgets will be blown out of the water. Today's announcement by the Prime Minister has set the stage for VANOC to once again come back to taxpayers with open hands."

"Why aren't the federal and provincial governments asking for more transparency and accountability from VANOC It is B.C. taxpayers that will be on the hook for cost overruns for the 2010 Games, wouldn't it be prudent to ensure VANOC is doing its best to stay on budget If there were greater transparency with VANOC, our tax dollars would be used more cautiously. As it stands now, VANOC just asks for more," concluded MacIntyre.