North Bay has been snubbed again when it comes to getting Ontario government grants for festivals and events.
The Ontario150 Community Celebration Program released its 2017 list yesterday and North Bay got just one event funded...$19,698 for a drumming and dance festival put on by the Multicultural Centre Aug. 6th.
Contrast that to our neighbour Sudbury which received $264,500.
Last year Celebrate Ontario spent $15.3 million to support 200 festivals and events across the province but North Bay didn't see a dime.
See: What's up? North Bay shut out again!
And: Summer in the Park snubbed by Celebrate Ontario
This year to celebrate Ontario's 150th anniversary the province is supporting 367 local initiatives -- including multicultural events, art exhibitions, sporting events and local food festivals -- "that will bring people together to commemorate the qualities and values that define Ontario and revel in this historic milestone," according to the news release.
North Bay Mayor Al McDonald says he's very disappointed for the hardworking volunteers that work year-round to put on events.
"I'm greatly disappointed we were shut out again."
McDonald says he's asked his staff to look into the reasons why the city continues to be snubbed but no answer has been forthcoming.
"I don't think North Bay is being treated fairly when it comes to funding for cultural events. We were even turned down for Canada Day. We were trying to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday like every other community and we were turned down so that was greatly disappointing.
"North Bay is continually being shut out in the grant process and I think now it's really becoming quite obvious that there seems to be a bias between North Bay and Sudbury when it comes to funding."
Sudbury had 16 events receive funding...North Bay just one.
Meanwhile, Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli says he's tried to get answers also but has been unsuccessful. He points out that the city received grants three years ago while he was MPP.
"We were grateful for that and expressed our gratitude to the minister. Last year when we did not receive money and I wrote to the Minister asking him to explain it to me but never received a response. The year before we did not receive any funding and I wrote to the minister, did not receive a response. The year before that we did receive Celebrate Ontario money and I congratulated the Minister and thanked him for the money."
He points out there were times when Liberal Monique Smith was MPP on the government side but did not receive money.
"It's the same disappointment I expressed to our Liberal cabinet minister when year after year we did not receive Celebrate Ontario funding under her either."
Successful Applicants
View the Ontario150 Community Celebration grant recipients.
