The B.C. government says it has already exceeded its advertising budget for the fiscal year and expects to nearly double it by the end of March.
Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson said the province allocated $8.5 million for the year and has spent $9 million to date.
“We’re projecting a total of $15 million for the fiscal year,” he said.
Wilkinson blamed “unanticipated” costs rather than pre-election spending for the increase.
He said a rise in drug overdose deaths, particularly related to the powerful opioid fentanyl, generated the need for a public awareness campaign.
Wilkinson dismissed questions about whether the increase stems from the B.C. Liberal government burnishing its image in advance of the May 9 provincial election.
“When circumstances change, we have to respond to them,” he said. “We can’t be slavishly held to a budget that was put together a year ago when we had no ability to anticipate some of these things.
“We view this as necessary public information, particularly on the opioid story, which is critical to get out to people all over British Columbia.”
B.C. NDPMLA Carole James said the spending is “typical” of the B.C. Liberal government.
“When it comes to finding money for their own political purposes, they move to spend it,” James said.
“But when it’s bus passes for the disabled or detox and recovery beds for those with addictions, no money is available.”
The government said it also overspent the $8.5-million advertising budget last year, coming in at about $12.5 million.
In the fiscal year before the last provincial election in 2013, the government spent $31.7 million on advertising.
