VANCOUVER, B.C.: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the B.C. government to cut wasteful spending in light of records showing it budgeted $35,000 for a reception in Victoria, including an open bar. 

“Bureaucrats billed taxpayers for an open-bar party at a glitzy hotel, while the finance minister pinky promises she’s looking for savings,” said Carson Binda, B.C. Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. “Open bar-parties for bureaucrats while the province borrows billions is like the band playing as the ship sinks.” 

The B.C. Public Service Agency held a reception to “distribute” 46 coronation medals to staff on March 11, 2025. Up to 150 people attended the event, including the awardees, their guests, deputy ministers, and Premier David Eby. The government hosted the event at the Inn at Laurel Point, an upscale Victoria hotel. 

The hotel’s Hunt Room was set aside as “hold space” for the premier, according to invoices. 

The catering and bar bill exceeded $11,680. 

The $1,752.44 bar tab included: 

• 42 glasses of Botegga Prosecco, 
• Another full bottle of Botegga Prosecco, 
• 6 shots of El Jimador Tequila,
• 10 shots of Jack Daniel’s,
• 19 glasses of 5 Vineyards Sauv Blanc, 
• 10 glasses of Frind Rose,
• 13 glasses of Frind Big Red, and
• Dozens of other cocktails, beers, wines and spirits. 

Catering charges include $1,080 for “warm breads & assorted dips,” and $1,800 worth of “antipasto platter: local cured & smoked meats, cheeses, pickled vegetables, olives.” 

Another $14,500 was set aside for “misc expenses: not limited to AV, hotel, decor, photography, printing, honorarium.” 

The government did not request information from guests and is “unable to provide a guest list,” according to the FOI records.  

“When politicians are spending thousands of taxpayer dollars on liquor and fancy cheeses, they should at least know who they’re buying it for,” Binda said. “Government is borrowing billions of dollars and hiking taxes on families while politicians and bureaucrats slap those same families with big bills for a boozy night out.” 

In total, the Crown handed out 30,000 Charles III Coronation Medals. Many of the ceremonies were held at government buildings or Legion Halls, rather than waterfront resorts.