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Montréal en Fêtes pulls the plug on holiday celebrations

Cites inflation, labour shortages and underfunding in the cancellations of activities in Old Montreal and the Old Port, including New Year's Eve party.

Fireworks were the final touch during New Year's Eve celebrations at Place Jacques-Cartier and the Old Port of Montreal in this 2016 photo.
Fireworks were the final touch during New Year's Eve celebrations at Place Jacques-Cartier and the Old Port of Montreal in this 2016 photo. Photo by Peter McCabe /Montreal GAZETTE files

Saying it is unable to ensure that its activities can continue to be offered free of charge, Montréal en Fêtes (MEF) announced Tuesday that this year’s holiday celebrations — including the New Year’s Eve party in the Old Port — have been cancelled.

“Galloping inflation, labour shortages and public underfunding mean that the organization of (this year’s edition) is impossible” MEF board president Dimitri Soudas said in a communiqué. “The organizers have decided to take a break to meet with their partners in order to solidify the event’s financing and re-think its economic model for the future.”

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Soudas said that “free access for all citizens has always been central to our mission, but today we have to completely review our model and our financing if we want the event to survive and remain free of charge.”

With free activities during the holiday season in Old Montreal and the Old Port, Montréal en Fêtes, first held in 2013, draws an estimated 200,000 participants annually.

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