A Victoria Hockey Legacy Society loss translates to a Canada Day win for Victoria residents and visitors.
The city previously approved $250,000 through its Major Community Initiatives and Events Grants for the society to host the U17 World Hockey Challenge – a bid that didn’t pan out.
On April 3, council, sitting as committee, approved redirecting that funding to the July 1 bash.
As part of the 2025 budget, the city allocated $100,000 from Major Community Initiatives and Events Grants as a one-time contribution, bringing the event budget to $325,000 for this year.
The 2024 Canada Day budget was $350,000 cash and $128,421 in city services in-kind, such as policing, street cleaning, sanitation, for a total of $478,421 from the operating budget. An additional $87,000 was raised through federal and provincial grants as well as local sponsorship, bringing the total budget to $565,421.
This year, staff sought $100,000 more from the events grants to “deliver a robust program and production”; council approved $130,000 to fully achieve 2024 levels.
The city needs to maintain a diverse and successful event, said Coun. Jeremy Caradonna, who made the motion. He also highlighted staff’s “compelling” argument that global events provide incentive for a larger event.
“People are going to continue to be in a mood to come together as a country. I don’t think this is a year to skimp on that.”
The added funding will draw bigger talent, which in turn will bring in more people to support downtown Victoria, Coun. Matt Dell added.
Additional grant and sponsorship applications have been submitted to Canadian Heritage, Destination Greater Victoria, and other sponsors, according to staff.
Preliminary discussions have begun with the contracted event producers for this year’s Canada Day celebrations. The focus will be on local talent, local producers, suppliers and partners to deliver a made-in-Canada event in the Inner Harbour. A First Nations welcome will kick off the day, and fireworks will end the celebrations.
