Manitoba Opposition leader Obby Khan was castigated Tuesday by legislature Speaker Tom Lindsey for remarks made toward a non-binary cabinet minister that Lindsey described as hateful and dehumanizing.

Khan, however, rejected Lindsey’s version of events, which included the release of a short audio recording. He said he meant nothing hateful when he called deputy premier Uzoma Asagwara a “terrible person” and added the remark “whatever you are.”

The controversy erupted during a raucous question period on March 17. The NDP complained to Lindsey that Khan had made the remarks, which were not captured clearly by the official legislature livestream recording amid a lot of heckling.

On Tuesday, Lindsey ruled on the matter and released a 15-second snippet of audio recorded by different microphones inside the chamber.

“On this recording, I can clearly hear the leader of the official Opposition say, ‘You are a terrible person, whatever you are,”’ Lindsey told the chamber.

“I was shocked and appalled to hear that such a dehumanizing comment had in fact been made in this chamber.”

While Lindsey found the words offensive, he ruled they did not constitute a threat that violated parliamentary rules, as submitted by the governing New Democrats.

Khan repeated his version of events Tuesday. He said he was challenging NDP hecklers to repeat whatever they were saying outside the chamber, where they would not be protected from legal action. Parliamentary privilege shelters politicians from possible libel suits for remarks made in the chamber.

“I did not make any statements intended to target or demean the minister or anyone else based on their background, identity or role,” Khan told reporters.

“I did say, ‘Whatever you are saying, say it outside.”’

The 15-second audio recording released by Lindsey captures Khan saying “whatever you are” amid other people heckling and an NDP cabinet minister who has the floor and is answering a question. The noise gets louder immediately after that phrase and the New Democrats are heard protesting the comment.

The audio recording is only a “fragment” of the heckling at the time, Khan said Tuesday.

The NDP did not buy Khan’s explanation. They pointed to previous controversial remarks by the Tories, such as their 2023 election campaign that promoted “parental rights” over children’s education. The NDP called that idea a veiled threat to transgender kids.

Asagwara said Khan does not deserve to be in office.

“The leader of the Opposition has shown Manitobans yet again that he is unfit not only to lead his caucus, he is actually unfit to be elected.”

Khan apologized in the chamber immediately following the Speaker’s ruling, before he had a chance to hear the recoding.

“I apologize … to everyone in the chamber and all Manitobans for those words. I look forward to seeing the full audio or listening to the full audio of that. But if that’s the interpretation of the Speaker, I apologize for that. I apologize for any harm those comments may have made.”

© 2026 The Canadian Press

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has told the legislature his government might cut the provincial fuel tax, but it’s not clear how seriously he is considering it.

Kinew recently said his temporary, one-year suspension of the provincial fuel tax in 2024 was the most important thing ever done by a provincial government in Manitoba.

The comment was met with criticism from some who said governments have made other, more significant achievements in the province’s history.

The NDP government brought back the fuel tax in 2025 at a reduced rate, and is facing calls from some people to cut the fuel tax again now that gas prices are rising sharply.

The price at the pumps in Winnipeg is currently fluctuating around $1.70 a litre.

In question period, Kinew was responding to questions about federal NDP Leader Avi Lewis from the Opposition Progressive Conservatives when he raised, unprompted, the idea of another fuel-tax cut.

“All the member opposite can talk about is Avi Lewis,” Kinew said, referring to Tory Leader Obby Khan.

“But here in Manitoba, we’re focused on you. We cut the gas tax once. Maybe we’ll do it again,” Kinew said. He added that the government has already announced a tax cut on more food at grocery stores in its recent budget.

Kinew was not made available to talk to reporters afterward.

Khan said it’s hard to know whether Kinew meant what he said, given that Kinew has at times mused about calling an early election and later downplayed the possibility.

“He talks in the chamber a lot. He says things and there’s no backup on them,” Khan said.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

Iranian-Canadian communities in Vancouver and Toronto say a temporary ceasefire has brought some relief, but deep concern remains for loved ones in Iran following threats from U.S. President Donald Trump.

Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire after Trump’s latest warnings raised alarms internationally.

Human rights advocate Soushiant Zanganehpour said the rhetoric marked a sharp escalation.

“He has not dealt with an adversary this unmanageable … to threaten the destruction of critical civilian infrastructure … and then to ratchet up those threats to the level of the eradication of the civilization — this is genocidal,” he said.

On social media, Trump warned that “a whole civilization will die” unless Iran opened the Strait of Hormuz, setting a Tuesday evening deadline.

Across Iran, people formed human chains around power plants, while hundreds gathered on bridges holding flags.

In Vancouver, members of the region’s large Iranian community reacted with a mix of skepticism and fear.

One Iranian resident told Global News the threats were unlikely to be carried out, describing Iran as a vast country with a long history that cannot be destroyed.

Another Iranian resident said people in Iran have long endured a brutal regime, but warned the situation could worsen without a clear plan.

In Toronto, Iranian-Canadians said the developments have made an already emotional situation more stressful.

Rogina Aselfallah said she had been on edge while following the latest developments, worried about her family members in her home country.

She said the last-minute decision to suspend attacks about 90 minutes before a deadline brought temporary relief, but also uncertainty.

“I’m very happy that power and water aren’t going to go out for two weeks, but then (what) after the two weeks? That’s scary too,” she said.

Babak Zamani said it is difficult to know what his family is experiencing. “Every night they are scared to just sleep. We are hoping to end the war as soon as possible,” he told Global. He described the situation as painful and conflicted, with people caught between calls for political change and fears about further destruction.

Sam Fayaz, who owns an Iranian grocery store in Toronto, said many in the community want to see change in Iran’s government, but were alarmed by Trump’s comments.

“(We) were very concerned, extremely saddened by his comments (about) destroying the entire civilization. That’s really not what we want,” he said.

Fayaz added many Iranian-Canadians feel a responsibility to speak out.

“People have no voice (there) and it’s our job here to be their voice,” he said.

Many say they are now hoping the ceasefire will give both sides time to reach a longer-term resolution. Zanganehpour said the uncertainty has left people searching for answers.

“The fact that we don’t have answers, we’re all on the sidelines trying to make sense of unprecedented things. I hope it does bring us a little bit together, because we’re all we have,” he said.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

With the playoffs assured, the final stage for the Montreal Canadiens is to finish strong in preparation for the most important games of the season. The Canadiens are defending too much these days, getting regularly outshot and out-chanced.

While thoughts are on milestones being reached, for the organization, they’re focused on Montreal playing its best hockey. The Canadiens are in a low energy moment and they almost lost to the Florida Panthers in regulation, but some late heroics forced overtime before a shootout produced a 4-3 win.

Wilde Horses

There was only one standout on the entire roster in this one for the longest time: Ivan Demidov. He was a magician with the puck at times, making world-class moves. The crowd was a chorus of oohs and aahs; Demidov was so exciting to watch. His head coach recognized it as Demidov led the club in ice time for the first two frames, which hasn’t happened this season.

It was Demidov who got the Canadiens on the board as deserved. It was a power play marker as Cole Caufield fed it across ice, where Demidov wired it home. It was one of only two solid chances in the first two periods.

The other good look was Phillip Danault stealing it and feeding Josh Anderson for a tip-in, but he directed it right into Daniil Tarasov’s pads for the save. That was it for 40 full minutes. In the third, early, Danault counted for 2-2, but it didn’t look like anything good was going to happen.

That was until Lane Hutson showed why he is one of the most exciting players in hockey. With 20 seconds left, it was Hutson by himself deciding to take on three Panthers, and he beat them all. The goalie bit on his last move, but he was already behind the net.

Hutson kept his head and fed Nick Suzuki for the late tying marker as the Bell Centre absolutely erupted. It went to overtime. Montreal finally played some inspired hockey in the extra five, but couldn’t convert.

It went to a skills competition where the Canadiens had more skills. Caufield went five-hole with his effort for a goal, then Alexandre Texier made a perfect shot under the bar for two-for-two. A third shot wasn’t even needed as Jakub Dobes stopped both of the Florida efforts.

This was hardly pretty, but a good team found a way.

Wilde Goats

The Canadiens picked a poor time to get somewhat out of sync. This is the first time all season that they are playing low-event hockey for an extended period. They don’t seem to have much energy, and they’re unable to generate a good forecheck, or a good cycle.

The fact that two players were healthy and rested and added to the lineup should have provided a spark, but it didn’t. The line switching didn’t ignite the second line at all as Texier had a poor game. Texier wasn’t committed to the task, physically hinting that he’s not sure that he is fully healed.

Oliver Kapanen moved to the fourth line, which he likely took as a slap in the face. However, it’s not a surprise at all as he has been looking fatigued in the last quarter of the campaign. Offensively, the Canadiens played 116 minutes of hockey between goals. That’s the longest stretch all season.

The real issue on the night, though, from a goals-allowed perspective was Arber Xhekaj and Adam Engstrom. The partnership was on for both goals against. Engstrom was the goat on the first goal and Xhekaj the goat on the second goal.

Alexandre Carrier and Kaiden Guhle are missed. Thankfully, for the head coach, both will be back for the playoffs. They need their energy to be back for the playoffs. The Devils Sunday was understandable with six games in nine nights, but this one will concern the organization more: They were rested. They were ready, but they need to bring more pace in the four games that are left.

Wilde Cards

Difficult decisions of the best kind are in the future for Head Coach Martin St. Louis. When he has a healthy roster, he won’t be sure what his starting lineup should look like for the playoffs.

Historically, head coaches choose experience. However, St. Louis may not be cut from the same cloth as his predecessors. This morning, after practice, there was a hint that he could choose the best players regardless of pedigree.

The most difficult choice is obvious. Brendan Gallagher has been a warrior for the Canadiens for 14 years. However, he is likely not one of the best 12 forwards on the Canadiens presently. In order of strength on the top two lines: Suzuki, Caufield, Slafkovsky, Demidov, Kapanen, Newhook. That’s the easy part.

In order of strength on the next two lines: Evans, Dach, Texier, Danault, Anderson, Bolduc, Veleno, Gallagher. That order of strength is fluid. On any given night, that list can rotate from almost top to bottom.

It may come down to the opponent. Against the Buffalo Sabres, more brawn will be required against a big team. Against the Tampa Bay Lightning, more experience may be required against a team that is savvy and plays on gamesmanship to get their opponents off-balance.

Gallagher drawing in against the Sabres is more difficult to imagine than drawing in against the Lightning. Perhaps, if penalty killing becomes important and forechecking as well, then Veleno is a strong choice.

If it comes down to raw skill to finish plays throughout the lineup, and if balanced scoring wins the day, then Dach and Texier are needed most. Faceoffs will always be key, so Danault would never leave the lineup.

One can attack this from a number of ways. It’s not written in stone for this head coach who sees action and who doesn’t.

However, if they head into the playoffs with 14 healthy forwards, the best guess here is Gallagher and Veleno will sit. That almost seems impossible, but there it is.

It’s a good problem to have, but it sure is open to second guessing as well.

Brian Wilde, a Montreal-based sports writer, brings you Call of the Wilde on globalnews.ca after each Canadiens game.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

TORONTO – Scottie Barnes had 25 points as the Raptors routed the Miami Heat 121-95 on Tuesday in a critical win for Toronto’s post-season seeding.

Barnes added eight rebounds and five assists for the Raptors (44-35), who tightened their grip on the sixth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Brandon Ingram added 23 points with six rebounds.

Miami was 10th in the East, holding the fourth seed in the conference’s play-in tournament, three games back of the Raptors.

Immanuel Quickley (plantar fasciitis, right foot), Sandro Mamukelashvili (left knee soreness) and Collin Murray-Boyles (right quad contusion) were all made available to play for Toronto less than an hour before opening tipoff.

Quickley started, scoring three points and adding four assists and four rebounds in 18 minutes of play.

Andrew Wiggins of Vaughan, Ont., led Miami (41-38) with 24 points. Tyler Herro and former Raptors guard Norm Powell each had 14 points.

Takeaways

Heat: A poor shooting performance cooled off any offence Miami managed to string together in the final three quarters. The Heat finished 33-for-91 (36.3 per cent) on field-goal attempts, including 12-for-44 (27.3 per cent) on three-pointers.

Raptors: Toronto’s interior play carried the day, with the Raptors outscoring Miami 70-34 in the paint and getting 23 second-chance points to the Heat’s six. RJ Barrett of Mississauga, Ont., and Murray-Boyles, like Barnes, had eight rebounds apiece.

Key moment

Barrett had a putback layup with 4:58 left in the first half to cap a 17-4 Raptors run that gave Toronto a 13-point lead.

Key stat

In the six games Miami has been held to fewer than 100 points this season, three were against the Raptors.

Up next

The Raptors and Heat will play each other again Thursday night at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 7, 2026.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

Two months ago on Groundhog Day, life-sized mascot Balzac Billy predicted Alberta would get six more weeks of winter.

It was right — and then some.

On April 7, Edmontonians woke up to fresh overnight snow, making for a slower commute. This, after the existing winter snow accumulation hasn’t fully melted away yet.

Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologist Alysa Pederson said while we saw warmer-than-normal temperatures at the beginning of the year, cooler weather came back at the end of February and stuck around.

“In March, it was kind of above and below-normal, and all over the place. We are starting off April relatively cool from what we would normally suggest for springtime,” Pederson said.

Still, people itching for spring are gearing up for warmer weather.

At Salisbury Greenhouse in Sherwood Park, seedlings are growing and flowers are blooming. It’s a true escape from winter.

Rob Sproule said while he is ready for warmer temperatures, snow later in the season is actually a good thing for gardeners.

“Looking at the amount of moisture we have been getting, it’s been snow, thaw, snow, thaw — and that’s wonderful. It gives you more moisture than the big snowpack,” Sproule said.

“Moisture that comes later in the spring, with a little thaw gets right into the roots and less of it flows off.

“It’s great moisture and it’s wet snow and it’s not going to stick around.”

It was a different story three years ago in 2023, when dozens of forest fires broke out across Alberta at the end of April and beginning of May.

It was the start of a record-breaking wildfire season in Alberta and the most destructive fire season in recorded Canadian history.

The total number of fires was in line with the five-year average of 1,100 for the 2018-2022 period, but the total area burned was a 10-fold increase over the 190,000-hectare average for the same period.

Over the 2023 season, 48 Alberta communities and more than 38,000 people were evacuated due to forest fires.

Canada as a whole saw a record-breaking wildfire season that year, when more than 6,500 wildfires burned 18.5 million hectares (46 million acres) — about five per cent of the country’s entire forest area and about double the size of Portugal.

All 13 provinces and territories were affected to varying degrees, with tens of thousands of people evacuated and at least four firefighters killed.

Sproule isn’t keen for a repeat.

“The dry conditions have gotten a little scary the last couple years, so I embrace this.”

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Saskatchewan residents are being urged to register as organ donors as the province marks the seventh annual Green Shirt Day.

The day is a national campaign recognizing the legacy of 21-year-old Logan Boulet, who was killed eight years ago in the Humboldt Broncos crash, along with 15 others.

Boulet died the day after the crash, which was also around a month after becoming an organ donor.

Green Shirt Day organizers say Boulet’s decision helped save six lives.

At Saskatoon’s Royal University Hospital on Tuesday, organizers set up a Green Shirt Day booth to share information on how to become an organ donor.

“We do need to have that larger pool of people who are open, so that when we assess and when we find opportunities, we have more people to be able to pull from,” said Lindy Brown, Saskatchewan Health Association organ and tissue donation coordinator.

Brown says that over 4,000 Canadians are waiting for a life-saving transplant.

Saskatchewan’s health ministry says it has seen a 27 per cent increase in organ donors since 2017.

The number of donors took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Brown, adding that awareness in the last few years has been helping.

“Since that time, as it went down, things are climbing back up again. So we’re about where we were pre-COVID, but with the trajectory going up. So things are looking really good,” she said.

Kim Groff was born with lattice corneal dystrophy, a rare eye disorder that causes painful erosions on the cornea.

“When I had them, it was basically lying in the dark for five or six days until it healed, and then away we go,” he said.

As his vision started to worsen, Groff said his doctor recommended that he get a cornea transplant — something he followed through with around 30 years ago.

“The opportunity to have a donation and regain my sight definitely improved my life. Otherwise, I would probably be basically blind by now.”

For Groff, Green Shirt Day is one to remember Boulet.

“We have to honour his legacy and what he did and how that can only help move the availability of organs forward,” said Groff.

In Saskatchewan, anyone over 16 can register to become an organ or tissue donor after death.

“On Green Shirt Day, we honour Logan Boulet and the powerful legacy of organ and tissue donation,” Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said Tuesday on social media.

But registering is just the first step, with sharing your decision with your family the next one.

“So they’re aware when tragedy does come, what your hopes would be.”

–with files from The Canadian Press

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

A retired Mountie and a group representing Alberta’s defence lawyers are both calling for a third-party investigation into possible criminal behaviour by the Edmonton Police Service chief and his top departmental lawyer.

The Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association (CTLA) says Chief Warren Driechel and EPS legal and regulatory services director Megan Hankowich need to be investigated for statements made over the recent manslaughter case involving the 2023 death of eight-year-old Nina Napope.

The call came in a letter to Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery from Edmonton lawyer Tom Engel on behalf of the association. The letter was also made public Tuesday.

The association is asking  Amery to direct the Police Review Commission to examine whether there is enough evidence to pursue charges.

Engel said their behaviour merits examination for possible criminal violations, including extortion, obstruction of justice and intimidation of a justice system participant.

“Police made criminal threats against the Crown that they have to do something, set aside a plea bargain — or else,” said Tom Engel, an Edmonton lawyer and chair of the CTLA policing committee.

“When the police cross the line like they did here, it undermines the administration of the criminal justice system in Canada — and that has to be jealously guarded.”

Former RCMP homicide detective and security professional Neil LeMay also filed a separate, second complaint, asking the Edmonton Police Commission and Amery to launch a formal investigation for the same reasons.

The letters are the latest chapter in a controversy that challenged the firewall between police — who investigate and can either recommend or lay charges — and prosecutors, who decide in the public interest how the case and the charges are handled in court.

The CTLA and LeMay were referring to public comments made last fall by police warning that prosecutors were willing to accept a sentencing deal it suggested was too lenient and a “miscarriage of justice.”

In September, Driechel and Hankewich took the highly unusual step of publicly intervening in the sentencing of Ashley Rattlesnake in Nina’s death, after saying they had learned the Crown was poised to accept an eight-year manslaughter sentence in the case that initially prompted first-degree murder charges.

EPS warned if the Crown did not change course, police would release their own details of the case so it can be judged in the court of public opinion.

The issue sparked a public debate on the firewall.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith weighed in at the time, backing the EPS concerns and stating the public needs to understand why Crown prosecutors make their decisions.

No deal was finalized, but in February, an Edmonton judge sentenced Ashley Rattlesnake to eight years in prison for manslaughter. The Crown had asked for a nine-year prison sentence, while the defence had requested seven years.

In his decision, Justice Jody Fraser called police comments surrounding the sentencing “reprehensible,” and suggested their “veiled threat” may have obstructed justice.

He also cited the comments as a “somewhat” mitigating factor in sentencing.

The Rattlesnake case contained disturbing details of the child’s final hours.

Napope was living with Rattlesnake in west Edmonton at her incarcerated father’s request when she died of blunt impact trauma.

Court heard Rattlesnake was drinking alcohol and using methamphetamine the night Nina was killed. The girl was found lying on the floor bleeding next to a hole in the wall, but it isn’t known how she sustained her fatal head injury and who may have struck the fatal blow(s).

Rattlesnake didn’t call 911 and instead asked acquaintances for help. Four others were charged in the case. Nina was found dead in a hockey bag in the back of a truck a few days later on Samson Cree Nation in Maskwacis, and her death was confirmed to be a homicide.

An autopsy showed she had multiple broken bones and injuries, some which had previously healed. She also had sepsis because of an infected tooth that was left untreated. Court heard the blood infection reduced her chances of survival.

LeMay said on Tuesday those convicted of murder should face justice, but the legal process must also remain lawful, independent, and visibly fair to maintain public confidence.

“The public should remember that justice requires consideration of all relevant circumstances, not only the crime itself, but also the fairness of the prosecution, the integrity of the proceedings, and the rule-of-law principles that must govern every serious case,” LeMay said.

“Police investigations are not a perfect science. Mistakes are made. Witnesses change their stories. Under cross-examination, evidence that once looked powerful can be weakened to the point that it carries little or no weight at all. All too often, murder cases go off the rails and no one is ever convicted.”

LeMay added in his experience, that is why the old saying about a bird-in-the-hand has real force here.

“When a lawful conviction is secured, the justice system, including the police, must be careful not to jeopardize it in pursuit of something more emotionally satisfying but far less certain.

“Justice must be done carefully, properly, and in a way that can be seen to be fair.”

The Edmonton Police Service declined to comment on the letter while Alberta Justice said it was reviewing it and unable to comment at this time.

The Edmonton Police Commission said it had not received the complaint, but noted since Dec. 1, 2025, complaints about police officers are made through the Police Review Commission.

The PRC, created by the province late last year to replace the “current patchwork of police investigating police,” is an independent, centralized, civilian-led body that looks into complaints about the conduct of police officers, and is the banner under which ASIRT operates.

The PRC told Global News it was aware of the matter but as of Tuesday afternoon, there was “no active investigation.”

In a follow-up message later Tuesday afternoon, the PRC said Section 42.2 of the Police Act sets out the provisions for making a complaint to the Police Review Commission. To summarize the key parts here:

• Members of the public can make a submission to the PRC
• The CEO of the PRC or the chief of the involved police service could initiate a complaint in the absence of a submission from the public
• The minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services could refer a matter to the PRC if deemed in the public interest

—with files from Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

An apparent dispute between the City of Kelowna, B.C., and a hotel owner is delaying public access to a popular waterfront boardwalk.

“This is a lovely walkway to go through and enjoy the waterfront,” said Raymond Wiebe, who lives in the Lower Mission area.

Last July, the city announced the temporary closure of the roughly half-kilometre boardwalk in front of the Eldorado and Manteo resorts for repairs.

In its public service announcement on July 14, the city stated, “the boardwalk is anticipated to reopen in September.”

“It hasn’t reopened since then,” Wiebe said.

Nor have any repairs taken place.

“I think it’s too bad,” said Kim Thompson, another concerned Kelowna resident. “I think everyone would enjoy that part of the lake and to access it.”

Wiebe says he’s sent multiple messages to the city, which replied it’s being denied access to do the work.

In an email to Wiebe last month, the city stated, ““Hotel management continues to restrict access to the site – including access for construction crews to do the repair work that was identified last year.”

It also added, “Based on direction from the City’s legal team, we have decided not to remedy via self-help (i.e. unilaterally cutting locks, removing gates, etc.)”

The city declined to comment to Global News, saying there is nothing new to add to the response it sent Wiebe.

“I don’t really know what it is, what they are wanting to achieve by denying access to the city to come in and do the work,” Wiebe said.

Global’s messages to Argus went unanswered Tuesday.

The decades-old public right-of-way agreement was made with previous hotel owners and came to a head in 2020 under Argus’ ownership when the boardwalk was closed to the public.

Among the reasons for the closure given by Argus was for crowd control and physical distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The issue ended up in court, with Argus arguing the agreement wasn’t legally valid or enforceable.

The city argued closing the boardwalk was a breech of conditions.

In the end, the B.C. Court of Appeal ruled the agreement was valid and the boardwalk must remain accessible to the public.

The boardwalk did reopened for a couple of years until last September, when it closed to accommodate the repairs.

However, with the city not taking any action at this point, it’s not known if or when the repairs will happen or when and if the boardwalk will reopen to the public.

“This doesn’t make us feel like we have a very good neighbour,” Wiebe said.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

A B.C. government promotion to hand out free coffee and tea to recruit U.S. health-care workers to move to the province to work came with a hefty price tag.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation submitted a Freedom of Information request to find out how much the two-day initiative in June 2025 in Seattle cost B.C. taxpayers.

“This process took so long because government and the third party were fighting tooth and nail to prevent taxpayers from seeing these documents,” Carson Binda with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation told Global News.

He said they decided to file the Freedom of Information request after B.C. Premier David Eby posted a photo of the coffee truck on his social media account.

“These invoices show the province spent $165,000 delivering 1,000 cups of coffee to health-care workers in the United States,” Binda said.

“That works out to about $165 per cup of coffee.”

The invoice shows that taxpayers paid for a branded truck, 1,000 cups of coffee, 1,000 branded cups and napkins, location procurement, and about 10 consultants to hand out the coffee or tea.

The opposition said this raises many questions about the campaign results.

“My question would be what did this result in, how many applications, but more importantly, how many jobs were confirmed by this spend with this specific truck and this massive coffee order?” Trevor Halford, interim leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia, said.

B.C.’s Health Ministry acknowledged the colourful coffee truck was part of their recruitment marketing campaign, calling it money well spent. They noted more than 500 health-care professionals have been hired from the U.S.

“There’s no doubt that we have a health-care worker shortage here, but I also think too that this government needs to be accountable with what they’re doing with taxpayer dollars,” Halford said.

Binda said he understands that the province is actively recruiting health-care workers from the U.S., but he doesn’t think anyone is moving their family because the government gave them a free cup of coffee.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.