Victoria is calling out the province, while putting in added cash, for Canada Day festivities at a time when our sovereignty is under threat.
In the draft budget for 2026, the city has $110,800 allocated for July 1 festivities. With the number far lower than previous years – the 2025 budget was just over $400,000 – Coun. Jeremy Caradonna and Mayor Marianne Alto successfully pitched a plan to add another $100,000.
“In this moment in time, this celebration of Canada and Canadians is uniquely important,” Alto said during the Jan. 29 committee meeting, where council agreed to shift the added funds.
“If we want to properly celebrate the holiday, that’s about how much it costs,” added Caradonna, pointing to fireworks, headlining acts and myriad activities. “This is not the time, when our sovereignty is at threat, to have an underwhelming celebration.”
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The mayor will also pen letters to the relevant federal and provincial ministries asking for funding support, noting several provinces help host festivities in their capital cities. Caradonna hopes to see the province pitch in the $200,00 that would bring the budget to previous levels.
The event draws tens of thousands of people to the downtown core, and that crowd likely generates hundreds and thousands of federal and provincial taxes, noted Coun. Krista Loughton. There’s a chance they’ll make more in taxes than the city spends, Loughton said.
Several around the table noted that cash comes from the city’s major community initiatives and events budget, which does mean other activities won’t get funded.
“This should not become the default approach,” Loughton said.
Choosing to bulk up that specific budget decision is essentially choosing a tax increase, Coun. Dave Thompson agreed.
“There is a tradeoff, as with all budget decisions,” he said, adding he’s also heard residents say, “I want good things in my city, and I expect to pay for them.”
Coun. Chris Coleman echoed the sentiment around the table that this is the right investment. And beyond celebrating as a show or response to others, “this is about us and our personality, and the strength of our personality.”
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