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

Annamie Paul formally resigns, quits Green Party

Annamie Paul, the Green Party leader, has formally resigned and has also handed in her party membership. Paul says she has sent in a formal resignation letter to the Green Party, which follows her announcement in September of her plans to step down.

Annamie Paul formally resigns, quits Green Party

Freeland: Feds can help with jobs market mismatch

Although the country has recovered the three million jobs lost at the onset of the pandemic last year, the ranks of Canada's long-term unemployed remains well above pre-pandemic levels, and many people, particularly women, have dropped out of the labour force altogether.

Freeland: Feds can help with jobs market mismatch

Green cars, shipping on tap for Canada in Glasgow

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra also signed Canada on to a zero-emission car accord, an international aviation emissions promise and an agreement to make heavy trucks and buses emission-free in less tha

Green cars, shipping on tap for Canada in Glasgow

BC Housing Market at Historically Low Level of Supply

Total active residential listings were down nearly 40 per cent year-over-year in October, falling to an all-time record low for the province. Active listings have now fallen for five consecutive months on a seasonally adjusted basis.

BC Housing Market at Historically Low Level of Supply

As of January 4, 2022, all City of Surrey staff and elected officials must be fully vaccinated

At Monday’s regular Council meeting, Surrey City Council adopted the same vaccination requirements that have been introduced for City staff. Effective January 4, 2022, all City of Surrey staff and elected officials must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination to the City.

As of January 4, 2022, all City of Surrey staff and elected officials must be fully vaccinated

Seeking witnesses to pedestrian hit and run: Richmond RCMP

According to the pedestrian, as he crossed Bridgeport Rd at Simpson Rd a vehicle allegedly pulled out of a parking lot, striking him, which resulted in him falling to the ground. The pedestrian did not get a good look at the vehicle, however, a witness described the vehicle as a gray SUV.