National

B.C. increases event recovery fund to $30 million

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 13 Dec, 2021 02:09 PM

VANCOUVER - The British Columbia government has added more money to its grant program to fund fairs, festivals and other events in the province to help tourism recovery.

Melanie Mark, the minister of tourism, arts and culture, says COVID-19 and recent natural disasters have had devastating impacts on events and tourism, and expanding the program to nearly $30 million is a way to help communities safely resume activities.

Happy to announce $30 million to support over 680 events in 134 communities via #FairsFestivalsAndEventsGrant! TODAY is about the thousands of people behind these events who work tirelessly to lift us up, build community, create memories. #PaddleTogether https://t.co/o3R8DRT2X8 pic.twitter.com/LGpcYBirpa
— Melanie Mark (@melaniejmark) December 13, 2021

The government will give one-time grants to cover as much as 20 per cent of the event's budget, up to $250,000, for operational costs, health and safety measures, venue rental, marketing, wages and promotion.

A task force was appointed by the government last year to identify what could be done to help the province's tourism industry recover.

In response to their calls to action, the ministry had announced a $12.9-million event fund in August, but Mark says they received so many applications for funding that the government will now more than double the fund.

Mark says this means the Fairs, Festivals and Events Recovery Fund grant will now help cover costs for more than 680 events in 134 communities.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Richmond RCMP arrest robbery suspect who allegedly used a knife to threaten a convenience store clerk.

At approximately 11:00 pm on August 22, 2021 Richmond RCMP attended the 9000 block of Williams Rd for a robbery in progress. According to the victim, a man entered the store then allegedly produced a knife and demanded money.

Richmond RCMP arrest robbery suspect who allegedly used a knife to threaten a convenience store clerk.

RCMP investigate death of child in B.C.

RCMP are investigating the death of a child who sustained serious injuries at a campground in southeast British Columbia earlier this week. They say officers responded along with the provincial ambulance service on Monday to a report of an unresponsive child at a campground east of Creston.

RCMP investigate death of child in B.C.

671 COVID19 cases for Friday

There are 5,872 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 160,268 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 215 individuals are in hospital and 118 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

671 COVID19 cases for Friday

Doctor frustrated with 'arrogance' of unvaccinated

Dr. Steven Fedder, who works in the emergency room of a hospital in Richmond, B.C., said he has run out of patience for people whose stance against vaccines has larger societal implications.

Doctor frustrated with 'arrogance' of unvaccinated

O'Toole, Singh target Trudeau over election call

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is finding himself under fire this morning from his political opponents over the timing of an election call during the fourth wave of COVID-19. Trudeau triggered the election three weeks ago, and it wraps on Sept. 20.

O'Toole, Singh target Trudeau over election call

Lawsuit seeks Canada-wide drug decriminalization

The statement of claim filed Tuesday by the Canadian Association of People Who Use Drugs and four individual plaintiffs says drug dependence is well recognized as a medical condition, but criminalization means the toxic illicit market is the only source of most drugs.