Report of the Commissioner Inquiry into the Coquihalla and Related Highway Projects. --

The Commissioner concluded that the Legislature and the public were deliberately misled about the cost of the Coquihalla Highway Project. The true costs were disguised by falsifying documents and expense account transfers. "These manipulations were directed as well as authorized by those in political authority." (p. xii). The Ministry of Transportation and Highways failed to provide adequate budgeting, cost-control monitoring and reporting systems. The Commissioner could "find no justification for such failures" and observed "that in the matter of the Coquihalla Highway, the legislature lost effective control of the public purse." (p. xiv). Changes in standards and procedures for estimating, budgeting, cost control, project management, contract administration, management organization and contract documentation were recommended. Attributing direct blame for wrong doing and recommending political accountability and retribution were beyond the scope of the Commissioner's inquiry.

To ensure completion of the Coquihalla Highway in time for Expo 86, construction was fast-tracked over difficult terrain and during adverse weather conditions. The government insisted the project was completed within its budget, but this increasingly seemed not to be the case. Douglas MacKay, a professional engineer, was appointed "to compare the estimates and costs of the Coquihalla Highway; to find reasons and justification for differences between estimates and costs; to examine other recent highway projects where costs may have differed from estimates; to investigate the procedures for costing, administering, and reporting highway projects; [and] to make recommendations." (p. vii). The reporting date was twice extended by Order in Council amendments.

Cover title.

Commissioner: Douglas L. MacKay.

"December, 1987"

Tabled: April 10, 1989. Also tabled February 23, 1988 by the Opposition.

The Commissioner concluded that the Legislature and the public were deliberately misled about the cost of the Coquihalla Highway Project. The true costs were disguised by falsifying documents and expense account transfers. "These manipulations were directed as well as authorized by those in political authority." (p. xii). The Ministry of Transportation and Highways failed to provide adequate budgeting, cost-control monitoring and reporting systems. The Commissioner could "find no justification for such failures" and observed "that in the matter of the Coquihalla Highway, the legislature lost effective control of the public purse." (p. xiv). Changes in standards and procedures for estimating, budgeting, cost control, project management, contract administration, management organization and contract documentation were recommended. Attributing direct blame for wrong doing and recommending political accountability and retribution were beyond the scope of the Commissioner's inquiry.

To ensure completion of the Coquihalla Highway in time for Expo 86, construction was fast-tracked over difficult terrain and during adverse weather conditions. The government insisted the project was completed within its budget, but this increasingly seemed not to be the case. Douglas MacKay, a professional engineer, was appointed "to compare the estimates and costs of the Coquihalla Highway; to find reasons and justification for differences between estimates and costs; to examine other recent highway projects where costs may have differed from estimates; to investigate the procedures for costing, administering, and reporting highway projects; [and] to make recommendations." (p. vii). The reporting date was twice extended by Order in Council amendments.

BC Royal Commission document scanned by LLBC.