The biggest spend relates to the latest wave of the Ministry of Health’s $8.8 million 2022 campaign to promote COVID-19 shots.
While John Horgan packs up and leaves the premier’s office for incoming David Eby, the NDP government is running four ad campaigns worth more than $13.5 million.
The Government Communications and Public Engagement department refused to provide the current expenditure, claiming it sets budgets by fiscal year, not by month or season. “Sharing information with people about how to benefit from programs and services is part of good government and our commitment to working for people,” said a prepared statement from the Ministry of Finance, which oversees GCPE.
Two of the creative contractors for the current campaigns have strong ties to Horgan and Eby’s party.