INFORMATION BULLETIN British Columbia releases Royal Tour 2016 costs VICTORIA The B.C. government released the costs today for the Royal Tour 2016, when their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and their children, visited British Columbia during their second official tour of Canada. Through a cost sharing agreement with the Government of Canada, B.C. s share of expenses relating to the Royal Tour 2016 totalled $613,363.93, which also includes the costs of site reconnaissance at each location as well as media transportation, accommodation, and tour. From Sept. 24 to Oct. 1, 2016, the Duke and Duchess visited Victoria, Vancouver, Kelowna, Bella Bella and Haida Gwaii, attracting large crowds throughout their tour, including 15,000 British Columbians for their official welcome to Canada at the Parliament Buildings in Victoria. Their Royal Highnesses also participated in more than 25 engagements, highlighting the significant work being undertaken to support parents with substance issues, enhance services and supports for mental health and conserving the Great Bear Rainforest. Highlights included: Sheway, a Pregnancy Outreach Program in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, which provides health and social service supports to women who are pregnant or parenting, who are dealing with drug and alcohol issues; The Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre, which offers information and resources on a wide range of mental-health and substance-use issues affecting children and youth in the province; Jack.org, a national charity dedicated to supporting student leadership in mental-health promotion and advocacy work across Canada; and The Great Bear Rainforest being recognized under the Queen s Commonwealth Canopy Initiative, the only project in Canada to receive this honour. As a lasting legacy related to the royal tour, the Province created the $1-million Great Bear Rainforest Education and Awareness Trust. Their Royal Highnesses experienced the true West Coast lifestyle on their tour, including salmon fishing in Haida Gwaii, sailing in the Inner Harbour of Victoria, taking a float plane to Vancouver and walking through the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world. The royal tour attracted global attention to British Columbia with more than 435 accredited media, including 64 from United Kingdom outlets, and 31 from international outlets. Earned media coverage included media such as Vogue, Allure, Hello Magazine, CNN and the Today show with a reach of almost 106 million people.
Four backgrounders are attached with detailed cost breakdowns for planning and delivery of the Royal Tour 2016.
BACKGROUNDER 1 Site reconnaissance Site reconnaissance was an opportunity to visit prospective sites, venues and organizations that were being considered for inclusion in the official tour itinerary. Site visits included members of the provincial and federal government and security agencies. Duration: Seven days (July 3-9) Ground transportation: $2,162.38 Program delivery (hospitality etc.): $252.28 Travel B.C. government officials and staff: $8,484.43 Total for reconnaissance: $10,899.09
BACKGROUNDER 2 Dry run The objective of the dry run was for provincial and federal staff to walk-through the detailed itinerary with representatives from Kensington Palace in order to refine the program and make final arrangements. Duration: Eight days (July 31-Aug. 8) Ground Transportation: $4,267.52 Accommodation of royal household and staff: $4,460.23 Transportation to/from Canada and within B.C. for royal household and staff: $17,615.75 Travel B.C. government officials and staff: $29,285.31 Total for dry run: $55,628.81
BACKGROUNDER 3 Media reconnaissance Members of the national and provincial media were provided an opportunity to see the venues and program elements to help identify media movements, positions and other logistics. Duration: Four days (Sept. 10-13) Ground transportation: $1,742.82 Travel B.C. government officials and staff: $16,085.13 Total for media reconnaissance: $17,827.95
BACKGROUNDER 4 Royal Tour 2016 of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Duration: Eight days (Sept. 24 to Oct. 1) Administrative services and supplies: $102,260.18 B.C. hosted function: $20,854.67 Program delivery (hospitality etc.): $53,224.57 Security: $ 196,129.03 Accommodation of Their Royal Highnesses, royal household and staff: $41,798.65 Protocol gifts: $3,344.76 Transportation to/from Canada and within B.C. for Their Royal Highnesses, royal household and staff: $27,589.89 Travel B.C. government officials and staff: $28,815.82 Ground transportation for media: $8,856.10 Media operations and services: $46,134.41 Total for Royal Tour 2016:$529,008.08