A well-intended promotional scheme for the Winnipeg Jets at Manitoba’s government liquor outlets has apparently been serving up flat beer to customers.
The provincial government popped the cork on a good idea this year by awarding some lucky customers free tickets to watch the long-awaited return of the Jets to National Hockey League action.
The tickets are used for promotional purposes, “in other words, for our customers,” Roman Zubach, acting president of the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission, recently told a legislative committee.
At least that was the plan until it was discovered that the tickets were being snagged by senior liquor board staff and the government’s cabinet minister’s office — to mention just a few of the freeloaders.
While the matter seems trivial, it once again raises questions about why high-placed authorities in any government in Canada are allowed perks at the taxpayers’ expense.
Governments waste horrendous amounts of money on things such as “fact-finding missions” overseas — flying first-class and staying at upscale hotels while dining on high-priced meals.
This sends a bad message to taxpayers, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet in tough economic times.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation, under Manitoba’s freedom of information law, blew the whistle on the Winnipeg Jets scam.
Despite Zubach’s assurances that Manitoba’s liquor agency has been giving away NHL tickets to customers, the truth was altogether different. It was found that the $250,000 the agency spends a year to advertise at the Jets games in return for the tickets, and those seats being are warmed by high-paid officials.
As part of the advertising deal with the Jets, the liquor commission receives 10 season tickets — 440 tickets over the course of the season.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation discovered that 188 tickets went to the corporation’s head office staff, another 62 went to executives, and 66 went to board members.
Another 108 tickets were given to store managers, four were given to the office of Jim Rondeau, the cabinet minister responsible for the liquor commission, eight went to something called the MLCC social club, and four tickets were given to charities.
While some of the tickets to store managers may have been handed out to customers, the government has no records to prove it.
“I think it would be better for these tickets to be made available to the public rather than politicians and senior staff receiving them,” said Colin Craig, Manitoba director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
Craig further questions why the liquor agency needs to advertise since it holds a near-monopoly on booze sales in Manitoba.
Since this embarrassing disclosure, Manitoba’s NDP government has promised to look into the matter and implement a policy — but nothing has transpired to date.
The liquor commission has been questioned about the tickets since March 21.
Canadians should never accept mismanagement of government, nor of government agencies.
And greed and entitlement should never be allowed to dictate the behaviour of public officials.
Rick Zemanek is an Advocate editor.