Stampede funding slashed as province tightens belt

Grant reduced by 10 per cent to $6.7M as ‘uncertainty’ looms over future financing

Fewer provincial dollars will flow to the Calgary Stampede as part of the Alberta government cuts outlined in Thursday’s budget, and more reductions could be on the way in the years to come.

The budget includes cuts to the operating expense budget of the Ministry of Culture, Multiculturalism and Status of Women, which will fall to $158 million from $218 million by 2022-23.

That includes “reductions in support for major fairs in Edmonton and Calgary.”

A spokeswoman for Culture Minister Leela Aheer confirmed Friday the Calgary Stampede and Edmonton Northlands, the organization that hosts Edmonton’s annual K-days fair in late July, will see cuts to provincial operating grants they receive.

The 2019 Alberta budget includes $6.7 million in funding for the Calgary Stampede, down from nearly $7.7 million it received from the province last year. The grant includes operational funding and $250,000 to support the Stampede rodeo.

While the organization does not have a long-term grant agreement with the province, funding was expected to continue at previous levels, according to a report by the City of Calgary’s chief financial officer this past June.

“The Stampede is in a strong financial position and had a surplus in 2018,” Danielle Murray, Aheer’s spokeswoman, stated in an email. “This is a modest 10 per cent reduction from the previous year.”

Calgary Stampede spokeswoman Kristina Barnes confirmed the organization was informed of changes to the grant but said there’s “uncertainty” about the funding in the years to come.

That’s because the province hasn’t outlined exact figures for reductions beyond 2019, she said.

“Any reduction of the grant presents challenges for the Stampede,” Barnes said in a statement.

“While we appreciate the government’s efforts towards addressing provincial debt, we hope that our provincial partner will continue to recognize the importance of the Stampede’s positive economic impact to the community.”

Murray said the UCP government has not made any decisions on funding levels for the Stampede in upcoming budgets.

But the budget stated that reductions in financial support for fairs in Alberta’s two biggest cities “will save $23 million over four years.”

“We are continuing to invest in our major fairs programs during this tough fiscal situation,” Murray stated.

In Edmonton, where provincial funding for Northlands has totalled $7.4 million per year, steeper cuts are on the way.

The government plans to contribute $4.5 million to Northlands in 2019, down $2.9 million over the previous year.

Murray said the organization was “understanding” of the slash in funding, given that it has fewer operational expenses than it used to.

“Northlands is no longer in charge of the old coliseum arena, the EXPO centre, horse racing or the Canadian Finals Rodeo,” she said.

“We are continuing to support Northlands during its transition. The investment of $4.5 million and reduction of $2.9 million is due to the change in operations.”

We are continuing to invest in our major fairs programs during this tough fiscal situation.