Kamloops-Centre MLA Peter MIlobar (image credit - BC Legislature/YouTube)

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Provincial contract

Amid $11.6 billion deficit, B.C. MLA questions why B.C. govt. is paying up to $450,000 to comedian for writing services

Sep 16, 2025 | 7:52 AM

KAMLOOPS — B.C. MLA and Conservative Finance Critic Peter Milobar is questioning the B.C. NDP’s priorities after learning that a provincial contract for up to $450,000 has been awarded to a comedian to provide writing content services to the B.C. govt. amid a record $11.6 billion deficit.

Documents sent to the news media reveal that Charles Demers has been retained at an hourly rate of $165 for an initial two-year term valued at $150,000, with options for two one-year extensions. The maximum value of the agreement is $450,000 spread over four years.

Milobar contends the NDP’s priorities are “backwards” while British Columbia faces a record $11.6 billion deficit.

“Premier Eby is telling families and small businesses to brace for cutbacks while his government quietly signs contracts worth nearly half a million dollars for a comedian,” said Milobar. “If the Premier wants to find something to cut, he can start with his $450,000 comedy contract. In the middle of the largest deficit in B.C.’s history, this is not only tone-deaf, it’s offensive to every taxpayer.”

Milobar said this contract exemplifies the government’s misplaced priorities highlighted in the First Quarterly Report:

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• Deficit: Now projected at $11.6 billion, the largest in B.C.’s history.
• Debt servicing: Rising to 5 cents of every revenue dollar, the highest since 2005.
• Delayed hospitals: Nearly $720 million in capital spending pushed back, including projects in Burnaby, Abbotsford, and Delta.
• Outmigration & youth unemployment: More than 70,000 people have left B.C., while 51,000 young people are unemployed, reflecting collapsing confidence in the province’s direction.

“British Columbians deserve a government that puts hospital beds and affordable homes ahead of joke writers,” Milobar added. “At a time when people are leaving the province, businesses are struggling, and families are paying the price for higher costs, this government is writing cheques for comedy gigs. That says it all.”