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Letter by Elizabeth Borek to BC Finance Minister Brenda Bailey: regarding BC Assessment’s paid membership in the UDI lobby.


Letter by Elizabeth Borek
April 24, 2026


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Subject: Are you responsible for the prudent and best use of taxpayer $?

Minister Bailey

It has come to my attention that BC Assessment is a paying member of the UDI.

The political rationale being touted is that BC Assessment is an independent crown corporation and operates “at arms length from government” which is a ridiculous rationale.  BC Assessment, as a crown corporation, is government by definition and is given the significant power to determine tax assessments on properties.

Despite BC Assessment being an arm of government, the BC Ministry of Finance denies any responsibility for its operations, including expenditures.  Apparently it is permissible for BC Assessment to operate and support the UDI (a lobby organization for the real estate development industry) through membership, to rely on UDI data, etc. BUT it is not permissible for the Ministry of Finance (whose responsibility it is, to represent the best interests of BC taxpayers) to have any input or influence on the government agency called BC Assessment.

Can you please explain why this Orwellian governance should not upset BC taxpayers?

Will you take steps to require BC Assessment eliminate any appearance of conflict of interest by withdrawing UDI membership (and payment) and to operate in the best interests of BC residents?

Elizabeth Borek

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See also:

The Ministry of Finance finally answers, after a year and a half, why BC Assessment is a paying member of the Urban Development Institute (UDI), a lobby for corporate interests involved in development and real estate. – CRD Watch Homepage

The question that the BC Finance Minister doesn’t want to answer. – CRD Watch Homepage

Index of Crown Corporations and Statutory Entities that have acted evasively about their UDI memberships. – CRD Watch Homepage

All UDI Municipal Memberships on Vancouver Island Eliminated. – CRD Watch Homepage

BC Assessment denied that it is a paying member of a registered organization on the BC Lobbyists Registry. However, the evidence shows otherwise. – CRD Watch Homepage

How Crown Corporation BC Assessment’s Paid Membership with the Urban Development Institute is Being Obscured – CRD Watch Homepage