Premier Moves to Refocus Attention on Neighbourhood Crisis After Scrutiny Over $325K Contract
VANCOUVER — B.C. Premier David Eby has cancelled a consultancy contract intended to support improvements in Vancouver’s troubled Downtown Eastside, following mounting criticism over the deal’s transparency and perceived political favoritism.
The contract, awarded to Michael Bryant — a former Ontario attorney general and ex-CEO of Legal Aid B.C. — was quietly signed in February for up to $325,000, including $25,000 in expenses. Its goal was to coordinate services and propose a framework to address systemic issues in the Downtown Eastside (DTES), an area grappling with entrenched homelessness, addiction, and poverty.
However, critics, including B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad, condemned the contract as a “backroom deal” lacking public disclosure or accountability. Bryant’s company, the Humilitas Group, had reportedly received $75,000 before the deal was terminated on Sunday, with no severance.
“The debate and discussion around this time-limited contract is distracting from the important work underway,” Eby’s office said in a statement Tuesday. While thanking Bryant for his contributions, the premier emphasized that his decision to end the contract was to refocus attention on meaningful solutions in the DTES.
Rustad accused the government of cronyism, saying the episode reflects “a pattern of disrespect” toward the public and due process. “David Eby thought he could hire friends and quietly hand out contracts without consequence,” Rustad said. “He only acted when caught red-handed.”
The contract had no disclosed public deliverables, which further fueled questions from Opposition MLAs, including Trevor Halford, who demanded justification for why Bryant’s appointment had not been publicly announced.
The government acknowledged a “communication problem” between the Premier’s Office and the Ministry of Poverty Reduction regarding the contract’s disclosure. Poverty Reduction Minister Sheila Malcolmson has not publicly elaborated on the nature of the miscommunication.
Despite the cancellation, the government says it remains committed to addressing the serious challenges facing residents of the DTES. The original contract included broad objectives — from improving public spaces to better aligning housing and health care services — but explicitly stated that the contractor did not guarantee specific outcomes.
Eby said he knew Bryant through his prior role at Legal Aid B.C. but claimed no knowledge of the circumstances behind Bryant’s sudden departure from that position last year.
The cancellation marks a sharp pivot for the government, as it attempts to regain public trust and demonstrate accountability while tackling one of the province’s most visible social crises.
Leave a Reply