The British Columbia government spent almost $36.4 million on communications and advertising for the year ended March 31, 2013.
The number was included in the July 23 release of public accounts for the fiscal year.
Government Communications and Public Engagement was budgeted $26.155 million but was allocated another $10.22 million.
Much of the extra spending was for the BC Jobs Plan advertising campaign, which was criticized by the NDP for glorifying the ruling BC Liberals before the May 14 election.
The list of payments to suppliers includes $18,980,081 to media-buying agency Vizeum Canada. Vizeum was also paid $1,187,000 for the month of April 2013, which was also included in the report. DDB Canada billed $5,378,025 for the year and another $750,780 for April 2013.
For 2011-12, Vizeum billed $15,375,670 and DDB $3,368,273.
Cossette Communications ($2,662,326) and Traction Creative Communications ($1,693,514) were other advertising suppliers.
Premier Christy Clark's communications adviser Don Millar billed $149,007 through his company, Reception Point Consulting.
The public accounts also revealed public employee numbers, Crown corporation expenditure and staff pay.
The government employed 27,326 full-time-equivalent staff members (FTEs), 435 higher than budget estimates. FTEs at Crown corporations and government agencies increased from 4,346 in 2012 to 4,508 in 2013.
The biggest increase was BC Pavilion Corp. (PavCo), which went from 167 FTEs in 2012 to 279 in 2013.
PavCo, which operates the Vancouver Convention Centre and BC Place stadium, received an $11,842,000 transfer from the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training during the fiscal year. PavCo event revenue was up slightly from $47.5 million in 2012 to $47.8 million in 2013. Lease revenues increased to $3.05 million from $2.7 million.
But the cost to operate BC Place was almost $51.7 million and almost $65 million for the convention centre, leaving a $10.215 million loss on the year. PavCo is carrying a $1.216 billion debt on the renovation of BC Place and expansion of the convention centre.
Despite the losses, Vancouver Convention Centre general manager Ken Cretney was paid $370,441, including a $95,000 bonus. BC Place general manager Howard Crosley's pay package was $299,720, which included a $34,997 bonus. In late May, Crosley's job was eliminated and Cretney promoted to chief operating officer of PavCo.
Ex-PavCo CEO Warren Buckley was paid $215,187 by his departure on September 15, 2012. The previous fiscal year he was paid $563,707. His replacement, Dana Hayden, was seconded from her post as deputy jobs, tourism and innovation minister and paid $203,905.
Former ICBC CEO Jon Schubert was the highest paid among the government's core Crown corporations. His package for 2012-2013 was $544,827 including $115,500 bonus. ICBC interim CEO Mark Blucher's total pay of $412,624, including a $63,336 bonus.
BC Hydro CEO Charles Reid's $531,521 pay included $57,250 in bonuses and incentives. WorkSafeBC CEO David Anderson was paid $459,786 ($118,233 bonus) and BC Lottery Corp. CEO Mike Graydon $465,000 ($20,327 bonus.)
