B.C. auditor general outlines costs of government's pandemic response so far

A new report from British Columbia's auditor general says the largest amount the provincial government had allocated by mid-August in its pandemic response was for individuals and households.

Michael Pickup's report says of the $2.6 billion his office has identified as being allocated by the government as of Aug. 18, $1.9 billion was targeted at individuals and households.

Another $642 million was for critical services, and $100 million was allocated for business and industry.

The government has announced a $5-billion COVID-19 response and a $1-billion contribution to a federal cost-sharing program.

About $3.5 billion was set aside for individuals and households, critical services, and business and industry, and the auditor general's office identified allocations totalling about $2.6 billion.

Finance Minister Carole James is also expected to announce next week how the province will spend a further $1.5 billion set aside for economic recovery.