"This year's funding was to return to 2015 levels at 2022 prices," says organizer Nicholas Cowen.
The COVID-19 pandemic brings back the Canadian Day celebration after a two-year reduced festival. I am. Canadians who want to attend a traditional parade may be out of luck.
In some cities, rising security and insurance costs, in addition to the problem of securing funding, have forced them to rethink their celebrations. Say there is.
In Montreal, there is no Canadian Day parade for the third consecutive year. This time, COVID-19 is only partially responsible.
Organizer Nicholas Cowen said the new coronavirus is a major concern, while the Federal Heritage Department says it will provide less money in a year of inflation's highest levels in decades. I am saying.
"The parade receives a grant, so it's very similar to receiving the same amount of check each year," he wrote in an email. "This year's funding was to return to 2015 levels at 2022 prices."
Parade Managing Director Caroline Polsac said in an interview that insurance prices were almost everything else. Together, he explained that it has risen to the ingredients of large, traditional cakes that are generally available. She said it would be difficult to get a corporate sponsor because the parade cannot provide tax receipts.
"For the parade, this means less money, higher prices," Cohen writes.
Instead, the celebration of Canada Day in Montreal will take place in Old Port, and the events will include face painting, games, cakes and concerts.
Heritage Canada did not respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.
Montreal is not the only Canadian Day organizer to blame rising insurance and security costs for canceled parades.
In Straskona County, Arta, Sherwood Park and the District Chamber of Commerce announced in May that there would be no Canadian Day parade.
"Unfortunately, coupled with many recent incidents in other parades in Canada and the United States, our success has significantly increased the risks associated with the responsibility of the parade and event organizers. "," Said Todd Banks, Executive Director. message.
The bank said: "Given all financial and volunteer requirements, the cost of physical infrastructure, insurance, and security obligations is now beyond our capabilities."
Last year, Wisconsin Six people were killed and dozens were injured in a man allegedly driving an SUV during a Christmas parade in Warkisha, State. In Toronto in 2019, four people were injured after the shot rang. In a parade celebrating the victory of the Raptors NBA Championship.
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority canceled the city's Canada Day parade in 2018 due to rising prices, but announced that it will not hold a parade or fireworks display this year. "Over the event industry," he added, focusing on other events instead.
Banff, Arta has decided to replace the parade with daily activities and performances.
On its website, the city mentioned several factors to replace the parade. The advantage of being able to provide performers with staggered time slots. Reduced use of fossil fuel-powered vehicles. A staffing challenge that "affected the town's ability to move all barriers and planters in a one-hour event."
Last year, many cities chose to cancel the Canada Day event after the unmarked grave was found at a former residential school site. Most events will resume this year, but some cities, such as Winnipeg and Thunder Bay, have opted to watch Canada Day on cultural shows rather than festive events such as parades and fireworks.
The cancellation of the Montreal parade took place months after the death of Roopnarine Singh, a Trinidad-born doctor who hosted the first Canadian Day parade in Canada in 1978. .. There was no celebration to commemorate the birthday of his country of adoption.
In a 2017 interview, Shin remembered fighting for years to secure funding for the event. Two referendums.
Cohen said Shin, who died in March, wanted him to go to Montreal for a parade this summer. Polsack said he would definitely be "upset" when he saw the hard-fought event canceled.
Both organizers say they are working hard to secure the funding needed to regain the parade next year.
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