B.C. Hydro has abandoned controversial plans to hire up to 25 research, polling and public relations companies.

As the Times Colonist first reported on Tuesday, Hydro had put a call out to “pre-qualify” up to 10 research and polling companies, as well as 15 media relations firms, for the coming year. They’d provide a host of services to the Crown corporation on an as-needed basis.

But the move appeared to fly in the face of a government deputy minister’s report from last fall, which said Hydro needed to find internal efficiencies and was overstaffed in its communications department. Hydro insists it has eliminated 700 jobs and cut 30 per cent of its communications budget and pre-qualifying firms is an efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

Premier Christy Clark said she’d look into the situation Wednesday, and warned Hydro to spend its money efficiently.

Thursday, Hydro issued the following statement from Renee Smith-Valade, senior vice-president of customer care, conservation and communications:

“BC Hydro advises that we have canceled our request for pre-qualification of outside communications services (RFSQ No. 1141 for research services and RFSQ No. 205 for Communications and Public Consultation – Consulting Services on bcbid.gov.bc.ca) and we will continue to review how we can efficiently provide information to our 1.8 million customers throughout B.C.”