FIFA security costs, measures evolving: Krieger

B.C. will receive $100 million from the federal government for World Cup security, but the provincial public safety minister says the final price tag won't be known for weeks as security arrangements are still being worked out.

Nina Krieger's statement in the legislature on Wednesday comes as the first FIFA game is just six weeks away.

"So, as you can imagine, the costs related to safety and security will continue to evolve, as we finalize preparations to welcome the world to the FIFA 2026 games," Krieger said.

She made the announcement after Premier David Eby said the federal government confirmed that B.C. will receive the $100 million to help pay for security.

The money is part of Ottawa's pledge of up to $145 million toward security for the mega-event, which kicks off in June, and Eby said his government will offer a full breakdown of the final security costs in the coming weeks.

Krieger repeated that promise, saying that her cabinet colleague Anne Kang, minister of tourism, arts, culture and sport, would offer a "comprehensive update about all costs, revenues and economic benefits in the coming weeks." 

Trevor Halford, interim leader of the Conservative Party of B.C., said, that type of record keeping was unacceptable. 

"Anything that you are budgeting for, you should actually have a number," he said. "That main number may be smaller, may be less than what it actually is. But there should be a number attributed to what they are projecting security to cost for these games." 

Krieger said she welcomed the $100 million commitment from the federal government.

Securing the seven games scheduled for BC Place requires the collaboration of multiple levels of government, and the province is still waiting "for precise details" around how the $100 million would be used, she said. 

Eby ruled out the province springing for certain costs on Wednesday.

"There will be no coverage in terms of cost for Pope-like motorcades for FIFA executives as part of security expenditure by the Province of British Columbia," he said.

Eby was referring to a recent decision by the Vancouver Police Department to deny FIFA president Gianni Infantino a high-protection motorcade.

Vancouver police said the head of soccer's global body does not meet requirements for that level of protection in the city.

Vancouver is hosting the 76th FIFA Congress this week, while the first of seven World Cup games at BC Place is set for June 13.

Eby said Prime Minister Mark Carney told him of the $100 million funding during their last meeting, adding that the province is still receiving additional information.

The $145 million in federal money will help cover security costs for the games in Vancouver and six matches in Toronto.

The issue dominated question period in the legislature. 

Conservative MLA Macklin McCall called on government to be transparent. 

"A family in Burnaby taking their kids to the Fan Festival doesn't know the plan," she said. "A small-business owner in downtown Vancouver doesn't know the plan. British Columbians deserve to know this government's plan for safety and security." 

Krieger replied that Vancouver police are working closely with her ministry, and RCMP.

She said ensuring the safety of all visitors, athletes, participants, fans, residents and communities at large is a top priority.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 29, 2026.

By Wolfgang Depner | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.