Fact Check: West Shore RCMP Expansion Project Meeting Costs

Recent public commentary from City of Colwood Council member Ian Ward is a clear example of how selective sharing of information and exaggerated framing for political purposes undermines public confidence in an important regional public safety project. This type of post is inflammatory and damaging to the professional reputations of the City, IPD team consultants, and contractors.

Let’s be clear about the facts:

• The claim that $2800 per meeting was being charged for meals is incorrect. The per-person catering cost has been well below standard industry per diem rates. While comparable per diems would average around $55 per person, catering costs have consistently come in at under $40 per person, including morning coffee, pastries, lunch, and afternoon coffee breaks. This costing reflects prudent management, not excess.
• Family-style catering is a cost-saving approach, avoiding higher individual meal claims while keeping teams working together in an efficient and collaborative manner.
• The caterer is a local Langford business, and standard offerings like jugs of infused water are cost-effective alternatives to individual bottles of water.
• Themed meals were at the suggestion of the cater and did not increase the price of the standard buffet lunches.
• Gift cards were not ordered as part of the catering or charged to the project but were donated by the business owner as a promotional activity for the business.
• Images being shared online are not from this project and are misleading.

Project planning meetings of this scale routinely include working meals; this is standard industry practice. These are full-day, collaborative sessions where keeping participants (many from out of town) on-site is essential to maintaining productivity and cost efficiency. Sending participants offsite for meals would increase both costs and delays.

The City remains committed to transparency, responsible stewardship of public funds, and ensuring accurate information is shared with the community.