A taxpayers鈥� advocacy group is calling on B.C. Minister of Agriculture and Food Lana Popham to explain a $3,600 taxpayer-funded dinner she hosted for 20 guests at a Victoria restaurant last spring.

Documents obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation through a freedom of information request show that, in her former role as minister of tourism, arts, culture and sport, Popham hosted a group of 鈥渇ilm reps from L.A.鈥� at Victoria鈥檚 Wind Cries Mary in April 2024.

鈥淣ormal families are looking for savings while Popham is popping champagne with Hollywood bigwigs,鈥� said Carson Binda from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. 

According to the receipt, the dinner included several bottles of wine and glasses of sparkling wine totalling more than $1,000, 20 tasting menus costing over $1,700, and a service charge of $611.

The document explained the meeting was meant to 鈥渞eiterate鈥� B.C.'s commitment to a robust film sector and discuss new and ongoing business opportunities.鈥�

However, the names of film executives and other attendees were withheld from the information provided in response to the freedom of information request.

Binda argued the public deserves more transparency.

鈥淭axpayers have every right to know who we are spending $3,600 wining-and-dining,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t's really disappointing and concerning that Lana Popham withheld that information.鈥�

This news is especially relevant at a time when the province is 鈥渄eep in the red,鈥� according to Binda. 

鈥淲e don't have a whole ton of money going around. For the government to be blowing money on 19 glasses of champagne, three bottles of Syrah, four bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon, two bottles of Pinot Gris, it makes you shake your head wondering how serious they are about saving taxpayers' money.鈥�

In his years of advocacy investigating government spending, Binda said it was 鈥渦nusual for politicians to be expending so much liquor at one dinner.鈥�

He concluded that the onus is now on Popham to prove to the province鈥檚 taxpayers the true worth of this dinner.

鈥淚t's on Minister Popham to prove to taxpayers that this was a good bang for our buck [and] what tangible results they got from this dinner,鈥� said Binda. 鈥淚f this was a good return on investment for taxpayers, Popham needs to prove that [and] show us exactly what investment this brought in.鈥�

Saanich News reached out to Popham for comment, but her office said she was unavailable due to legislative duties on May 15.