New Brunswick governments spent $286K bidding to host Francophonie Games
Gifts, wine and receptions used to lure event to Moncton and Dieppe, receipts reveal
New Brunswick provincial and municipal governments spent more than $286,000 on wine, gifts and travel to secure the right to host the 2021 Francophonie Games, documents obtained by CBC News reveal.
The receipts show how local officials wined and dined jury members in November during a visit to Moncton and Dieppe, which ultimately won the right to host the event.
Thousands of dollars more were spent sending a delegation of New Brunswickers to West Africa as part of the bidding process.
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But officials say the spending — which adds up to $286,686.66 so far and doesn't include the cost of actually putting on the games five years from now — is worth the financial rewards they believe the event will deliver.
The provincial government predicts the games will generate at least $25 million in economic spinoffs, including $22 million in the Moncton region, and 340 jobs.
The Francophonie Games will be open to all participants in New Brunswick between the ages of 18 and 35, regardless of the language they speak.
'There has to be a discipline involved'
Interim Progressive Conservative Opposition Leader Bruce Fitch has criticized the Liberals in the past for spending thousands on a networking dinner aimed at encouraging New Brunswickers to return home.
But Fitch says he sees a clearer return on investment in spending to win the right to host the Francophonie Games.
"The taxpayers, they'll deal with the respective politicians when it comes time to vote on whether they think that's a good investment or not," Fitch said.
"I know as part of that return on investment, the fact that [the bid] was successful is a positive outcome."
Still, Fitch said governments have a fine line to walk when bidding for events.
He suggested there should be clearer rules around how much can be spent to win.
"It is the balance of making sure that you're not overbidding or that you're not just buying the contract at any cost at all. There has to be a discipline involved."
Province's share covered by Ottawa
The provincial government took the lead on developing Moncton and Dieppe's bid after being approached by a local organizing committee.
An economic impact assessment obtained by CBC News shows the province based its calculations on the assumption that 3,000 spectators will attend the 12-day event and 2,400 people will participate.
The government was given a list of recommendations and next steps, but much of that advice was redacted in the copy provided to CBC News.
Most of the money spent on the bid — more than $268,000 — came from the provincial government, receipts show.
That includes $57,334.81 to send eight people to the Ivory Coast, where the 2017 games will be held, "to promote New Brunswick's role and economic potential of Francophonie markets."
Government spokeswoman Vicky Deschênes said the province's costs will be covered by $800,000 the federal government gave New Brunswick in 2015-16 for its participation in Francophonie.
"The games will give the host region and New Brunswick the opportunity to promote themselves on the international stage," she said in an emailed statement.
$4,300 lunch
Moncton and Dieppe spent nearly $18,000 combined, including the cost of sending their own delegates to the Ivory Coast.
Before awarding the bid to Moncton and Dieppe, a jury visited New Brunswick.
When they arrived, they were given hundreds of dollars worth of gifts, including paintings and mugs emblazoned with Moncton's skyline.
In Dieppe, they attended a reception at St. James Gate that cost more than $3,000, including a wine bill that topped $700.
Mayor Yvon Lapierre said the City plans to spend another $750,000 between now and 2021 on the operation of the games.
"Even if you add that up, it's still a very worthwhile investment for our communities," Lapierre said.
In Moncton, the jury attended a lunch at the Delta Beausejour and hired a photographer to document the visit. The final bill came to $4,581.73.
Like Lapierre, the City of Moncton believes it will get its money back when visitors spend money in the city.
"I would say if we can spend $9,000 again with an economic impact of $22 million, which is expected in 2021, then I would say that is probably, for the City of Moncton, a good investment," Moncton spokeswoman Isabelle LeBlanc said.