The Teddy goes to...
If you can’t laugh at the stupidity of bureaucracy, chances are you’ll scream or cry. Laughter is a much better visual expression. Hosted by Porky, the Waste Hater, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation honoured the best of the worst at its 20th annual CTF Teddy Awards, Tuesday on Parliament Hill.
B.C. was skunked — not a single nomination in any of the three major categories.
Heritage department this year’s big ‘winner’
That’s a good thing. The big “winner” was the Department of Canadian Heritage in Ottawa for the $8.2 million Canada 150 Parliament Hill hockey rink, built one block from Rideau Canal, which is renowned as one of the best places to skate in the world. This worked out to $100,000 per day or $53 per skater.
Others winners were Ontario, for its fair hydro plan; the City of Montreal, for spending $34 million to attract a Formula-E race which drew flies; and the City of Calgary’s gaffe-prone public art program.
Perhaps the most dubious nominee was the City of Winnipeg’s firefighters’ union for taking a 40 per cent taxpayer subsidy for the union president’s salary.
Surprisingly, none of the nominees were there to accept their awards. At least Sandra Bullock showed up when she won a Razzie for “All About Steve.” The difference was 24 hours later, Bullock would win an Oscar for “The Blind Side.”
Kudos to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation for paying attention. With newsrooms strapped for resources, the CTF’s work is often invaluable.
What’s refreshing about the Teddys is civil servants aren’t spared any wrath. They too are held accountable. The Teddys are named in honour of Ted Weatherhill, a former federal appointee fired in 1999 for obscene expense claims, including a $700 lunch for two.
Former Penticton mayor Garry Litke (2013) once famously said politicians were “fair ball” to criticize because “they signed up for this” ... but never staff.
We agree with Litke that a clerk, custodian or someone who cuts the grass should never be criticized publicly. It stops there. High-end bureaucrats making six figures — whose decisions affect all of us — are fair ball for criticism. Just ask Porky the Waste Hater. —James Miller
Valley Editor