WASTE: B.C. government bills taxpayers for high-end vehicle leases
VANCOUVER, B.C.: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the B.C. government to cut wasteful spending as records show senior bureaucrats are billing taxpayers $370,000 per year for executive vehicle leases.
“Taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook for outrageously expensive vehicle leases,” said Carson Binda, B.C. Director for the CTF. “The government must change its policy so bureaucrats aren’t billing taxpayers for luxury vehicles.”
The CTF forced the government to disclose the cost of executive vehicle leases for deputy ministers, associate deputy ministers and other senior executives in the government sector through freedom of information requests.
“Senior bureaucrats shouldn’t be billing taxpayers for their car leases and they definitely shouldn’t be spending far more than what’s reasonable,” Binda said. “The provincial government says it’s trying to save money so canceling expensive leases should be a no-brainer.”
Government policy allows deputy ministers and associate deputy ministers to lease a vehicle for $1,200 per month, or take $1,000 per month in cash in lieu of the leases.
The average monthly cost of executive vehicle leases is about $1,103, according to the records.
For context, a 2026 Range Rover Evoque Dynamic SE leases for $843 and a 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 SUV for $574 monthly.
Comfortable hybrid sedans like the 2026 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE lease for $394 monthly.
“An employee conducting government business must use the most cost effective and appropriate mode of transportation,” according to Section 13.3 of the government’s transportation policy.
“When you could save money by leasing a Range Rover or a Benz, you’re clearly not choosing the most cost-effective option,” Binda said. “It’s not cost effective or appropriate for bureaucrats to be leasing expensive vehicles while hiking taxes and borrowing billions.”
The government withheld the make, model and year of all leased vehicles, in the FOI response, citing law enforcement and public safety concerns. The CTF is taking legal action to challenge those claims and force disclosure.
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