Boonstock organizers failed to pay for policing – taxpayers left to carry the weight.

An argument for getting a bond first or money up front.

A statement from Perry Clark, executive director of policing, security and law enforcement infrastructure and finance with the Ministry of Justice, reads as follows:

“The province was in contact with the promoter a number of times urging payment of their invoice – including accommodating a three-year repayment schedule, but no payment was received.

“As Boonstock is now insolvent, the province has no further options to collect.

“The province invoices for a number of policing events. What was different in this case is that the province usually has an agreement in place before the event – and despite significant effort by the province to secure such an agreement, Boonstock Productions did not sign in advance of the event.”

He further stated that: “Boonstock organizers lacked an approved security plan and were unable to provide proof of signed contracts for security, emergency health services, potable water, waste management and firefighting.

“It’s important to note that the event in question was a for-profit event that presented significant public safety concerns for attendees, with security falling short of what was understood to be in place for the event.”

The province initially invoiced the promoter on Sept. 5, 2014, for $176,901.10, following the August festival.

The total policing cost cited by the RCMP was $250,000, with the provincial government sending an invoice for 70 per cent of that, and it being up to the federal government to invoice the remaining 30 per cent.