B.C. taxpayers subsidized funeral

Should government cover part of the cost of a private citizen’s funeral? Not if it’s the province of Quebec, first in line to belly up for a free handout of taxpayers’ dollars from the federal government in the form of a transfer payments. Quebec is kicking in nearly $50,000 to help cover funeral costs for Celine Dion’s late husband. No doubt Rene Angelil was well-loved and respected in Quebec. However, that does not justify tax dollars being used to pay for the lavish sendoff that Dion organized. It’s not like she would have to take out a second mortgage to pay for it herself.

Federal support to Quebec through transfer payments for 2016/17 is $21.4 billion (the highest amount of all the provinces). Therefore, all taxpayers in B.C. are contributing toward Angelil’s funeral expenses.

Brenda Williams, Chilliwack