City rejects $25K pitch for ‘virtual’ festivities

Councillors loathe to shell out $25K of public funds for national celebration

The city’s executive committee shot down a grant allocating up to $25,000 for “virtual” Canada Day celebrations on Wednesday.

Earlier in May, the committee, made up of Regina’s mayor and city councillors, sought clarification on what the money would go toward, given that celebrations in Wascana Park were cancelled due to COVID -19 and moved online.

On Wednesday, the grant was back before the committee, but no such clarification was made available by the Regina Canada Day Committee (RCDC).

RCDC was invited to take part in a national virtual celebration led by Canadian Heritage, which will provide an initial $25,000 to fund the Queen City’s contribution to the nationwide celebration. The grant from the city would cover costs exceeding the money from Canadian Heritage.

But the idea of giving out public money without a clear budget made it untenable for all councillors.

“I can’t support this. This is basically a line of credit for a virtual event and I see no specific request as to where this money will go,” said Ward 3 Coun. Andrew Stevens.

Ward 4 Coun. Lori Bresciani said she wouldn’t support “giving a penny” to the event since the RCDC didn’t explain where the money would go.

The grant was unanimously voted down, eliciting a response of “opposed, strongly” from Coun. Sharron Bryce (Ward 7) when it was her turn to vote.

There was a great deal of uncertainty as to what the “virtual” celebrations will look like, but Canadian Heritage is planning to produce a morning, lunch and evening performance.

Mayor Michael Fougere said he was disappointed council didn’t have a clearer picture of the RCDC’S budget looked like.

“We’re only, what, five weeks away from Canada Day?” said Fougere.

However, the mayor said if the RCDC came back to council in time with a detailed budget, executive committee would consider revisiting it.