(August 11, 2023) Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) is spending thousands of dollars on purchasing three
brand-new fancy Mercedes-Benz vans and retro-fitting them to travel around the province. The Board of Directors approved the purchase of the three Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 vans (similar to image) last year. The cost of big 4 x 4 vans like this typically range from $70,000 to $100,000 each plus tax which would suggest that the three vans cost anywhere from $210,000 to $300,000 plus tax to purchase. The retro-fitting that they are having done to each of them would also likely be at least another $10,000 each or about $30,000 for the three meaning a total cost of as much as $330,000 for the three vans before they even get on the road.
Once on the road, the operating costs really begin to add up. Insurance, fuel costs, and maintenance for each of the three will add thousands of dollars, and then staffing costs on top of that. For the staff operating each of these three fancy vans there will be salaries, meals, accommodation and incidentals, and if they work longer than their regular hours, there will be overtime.
All information known about the fancy van purchase and retro-fitting suggests the funding of the estimated $330,000 potential cost is coming from the MNBC Ministry of Education. In addition, the annual operating costs for fuel, insurance, maintenance and at least three staff salaries (drivers) plus meals etc. which will likely be at least $200,000 will also come from the MNBC Ministry of Education.
BC Métis Leader and former MNBC President Clara Morin Dal Col questioned the huge expenditure for big fancy vans to travel the province while MNBC announced in early July a ‘pause’ in funding for any more students for post-secondary and employment training because they had already committed all their funding for this fiscal year.
Ms. Morin Dal Col said, “Once again this Board’s funding priorities are out of step with the real needs of our Métis citizens. Money from education funds should not be spent on fancy vans. Instead of spending tens of thousands of dollars on vans, the money should be made available to help our citizens with furthering their education and securing their futures.”
Ms. Morin Dal Col, who recently announced that she will be seeking the Presidency of Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) in the 2024 election, said, “This Board has consistently spent money that is out of step with the needs of our citizens on everything from their own huge salary increase, travel to New York, consultants, and now fancy vans.” She said, “They need to be held accountable in the next election.”
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For further information:
Contact Clara Morin Dal Col
Candidate for MNBC President
Email: cmdalcol@gmail.com
(Image shows similar Mercedes Benz van)
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