B.C. Tories would cut taxpayer support to Crown agency that runs stadium

LANGLEY, B.C. – B.C. Conservative Leader John Cummins says a Tory government in the province would cut off funding to the Crown agency that operates BC Place Stadium and the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre.

He says there’s no need for taxpayers to continue to subsidize the BC Pavilion Corporation, known as PavCo, to the tune of $9 million dollars a year.

Cummins says PavCo is a dumping ground for Liberal insiders, pointing out Liberal candidates Suzanne Anton and Peter Fassbender serve on the company’s board.

He says a Conservative government would sell the naming rights to BC Place Stadium and use the money to replace the taxpayers’ subsidy.

Meanwhile, Cummins says his party would create a $50 million grant program to support recreation, arts and culture in northern B.C. over three years.

Kurt Peats, the Conservative candidate in Peace River South, says with so much of B.C.’s wealth coming from the North, the government must help make it an attractive place to live and work.