B.C. government drops contract with special consultant on Downtown Eastside [Video]

The B.C. government has cut its contract with a special consultant on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside short amid backlash over the appointment.

As Global News first reported last week, the province hired former Ontario cabinet minister Michael Bryant on a six-month contract to review ongoing programs in the troubled neighbourhood and to advise on future policy.

Bryant began the work in February, but the appointment wasn’t publicly announced and drew backlash, including from the Opposition BC Conservatives.

On Tuesday, the Premier’s Office issued a statement saying Bryant’s “work under government’s contract with his consulting company concluded” on Sunday and that “debate and discussion around this time-limited contract is distracting from the important work underway.”

Speaking to media on Tuesday, Eby thanked Bryant for his work.

“I’m very appreciative to Mr. Bryant for his work, for his efforts on the part of government,” he said.

“I have to say though that public debate and discussion about …