On Friday, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson announced, "The Olympic village is a billion-dollar project, and the city taxpayers are on the hook for all of it." That controversial announcement was made following a one-hour, not-for-attribution technical briefing with someone The Globe and Mail's Frances Bula referred to as a "senior city hall manager" - who was outed yesterday by CityCaucus.com's Mike Klassen as city manager Penny Ballem. But this isn't the first time an easily-identifiable bureaucrat has delivered such a briefing, barring cameras and recording devices from the room.
In September, someone The Globe and Mail's Justine Hunter referred to as an "official" spoke to reporters under similar conditions just before the provincial government announced deputy minister pay would be increased by an average of 7.38 percent - significantly less than their maximum allowable salary.
The following is a complete copy of the media advisory announcing the city's technical briefing. Public Eye was not part of the distribution list for that advisory. Nor did we attend the briefing.
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City of Vancouver Media Advisory
January 9, 2009
Technical Briefing: Olympic Village
Accredited media are invited to attend a Technical Briefing with City Manager Penny Ballem for an update on the Olympic Village:
Technical Briefing
Friday, January 9, 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Strathcona Room
Sub-ground, City Hall (signage and staff will help direct media)
453 West 12th Avenue
The City Manager will present the Olympic Village Public Information Update followed by an opportunity for questions and answers. ID must be shown.
The Technical briefing will not be for attribution - NO CAMERAS OR RECORDING DEVICES will be allowed into the room. Embargoed information will be distributed at the briefing. The embargo will be lifted at the end of the Technical Briefing.
After the Technical Briefing, Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson will make a statement and be available to answer media questions:
3:30 pm
3rd floor foyer outside of the Mayor's office
City Hall
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