Over-sized cheques and showmanship marked provincial government funding announcements in Squamish earlier this month, in a display one councillor is calling into question.
"It was a bit misleading to make that announcement when well over $500,000 was actually revenue sources we receive every year. It wasn't new money," said Coun. Patricia Heintzman.
On March 17, West Vancouver-Garibaldi MLA Joan McIntyre teamed up with MP John West to announce close to $1 million in provincial and federal funding - part of which was a grant of $375,000 to construct the O'Siem Community Pavilion in downtown Squamish, and most of which was regular transfer payments.
"It was confusing for everyone because it was all wrapped up in one announcement," said Heintzman.
She said the exhibition was politically-driven, and called for a more honest approach at the provincial level.
"It's pretty standard during any election for the government in power to make funding announcements. It's been a political tactic forever, but I wish there was more authenticity behind those announcements."
Assigning terms like "legacy" to the pavilion gives the wrong impression, said Heintzman. In reality Squamish was actually given the short end of the stick."I think this O'Siem house is a bit of a legacy because we probably received the funding because of the Olympics. But the community is not seeing a lot of legacy stuff."
Dan Doyle, VANOC executive vice president and liaison to the Sea to Sky Corridor was at the announcement, but a VANOC communications officer said Doyle would not comment on his presence.
McIntyre even called the pavilion a 2010 legacy when in actual fact a Towns for Tomorrow grant will fund construction.
"The pavilion is something like a legacy of 2010 that the community can enjoy," said McIntyre in a follow-up interview with The Chief. "Dan Doyle has been working with mayor and council to find some good opportunities to make sure Squamish is recognized. It was important to find some lasting legacies the community wanted."
Mayor Greg Gardner recently expressed his disappointment in VANOC due to a transportation plan that sees spectator buses merely passing through town, but said the pavilion is good news.
"I would hesitate to call it an Olympic legacy, but Dan Doyle assisted in moving the grant application forward," Gardner said. "The Olympics have played a role in being successful with that grant application."
Doyle, the former B.C. deputy transportation minister, also returned to the riding where he raised his family to act as the keynote speaker at a fundraiser for provincial Liberal Skeena candidate Donny van Dyk. Doyle reportedly paid for all his own expenses.
As McIntyre headed into the election season, she wouldn't say if more funding announcements were in store for the community.
