VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The provincial opposition says Christy Clark is spending $1.5 million of your taxpayer money on a “party planner” for BC’s first Family Day, set for the second Monday of February.

The NDP is raising red flags on the latest campaigning by the premier, but Clark is defending the move.

“Let’s remember, that’s what the NDP does — they criticize,” says Clark. “And I understand that being critical is part of what they do, but I do think it’s important that we help families think about Family Day and things they can do on the very first Family Day in British Columbia.”

Clark doubts the $1.5-million figure.

“I am very proud to be the premier who brought in British Columbia’s very first Family Day,” she tells us. “I think it says a lot about who we are as a province. In terms of the numbers [the NDP] is quoting — I doubt they’re accurate.”

Calling it a frivolous “congratulatory party,” NDP House Leader John Horgan says it comes on the heels of a $15-million ad campaign that he believes was to promote partisan rhetoric and win votes. He argues there are a lot of groups in this province aching to get their hands on that kind of money.

“Seniors care, community living spaces, special needs teachers, skills training programs, replanting B.C.’s forests,” he writes in a news release. “The list goes on and on.”