B.C. Conservatives accuse Eby of spending on comedian speech writer as deficit grows

Premier David Eby says his office is cutting back on costs as he responds to claims by the Opposition B.C. Conservatives that his government is spending up to $450,000 for Vancouver-based comedian Charles Demers to write speeches.

Demers is one of five speech writers "necessary" for his job, Eby told an unrelated news conference on Tuesday. The value of Demers' contract so far has been $14,000, not "quite as sensational" as the Conservatives are claiming, he said.

The Conservatives released a copy of the contract on Tuesday between government and Demers showing an hourly rate of $165 for a total cost of $150,000 over two years, which could reach $450,000 if he were hired for two more one-year terms.

Conservative finance critic Peter Milobar says in a statement that the contract "exemplifies" the government's misplaced spending priorities in the face of B.C.'s deficit, forecast to reach a record high of $11.6 billion this fiscal year. 

Milobar says Demers' contract is "not only tone-deaf" but "offensive" to taxpayers in B.C. as they face higher costs and businesses are struggling. 

Demers posted a video on Instagram Tuesday in response, saying the Conservative figures were "hallucinatory" and "not in touch with any reality."

He said he would only receive $450,000 if he were to invoice for the maximum amount for the full length of the contract, then add a further $150,000.

Demers said he doesn't just write jokes for Eby, but rather "all kinds of things." 

However, he acknowledged he wrote only jokes for former premier John Horgan.

"I've been a political writer longer than I've been a comedy writer," he added.

Eby said the use of contractors like Demers allows government to cut back on costs and his office is following suit as part of the plan to return to a balanced budget. 

Demers said in his video that he is proud of the work he is doing for a government that he supports, and humour is a way for democratic leaders to connect with their constituents and help make their ideas "approachable and understandable."

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns