Montréal en fêtes cancels New Year’s Eve event, cites lack of funds
Posted December 6, 2022 1:10 pm.
A fan-favourite holiday event in Old Montreal has been cancelled due to a lack of funds.
This year’s edition of “Merry Montreal” – known more commonly as Montréal en fêtes – will not take place.
Organizers say the free event’s business model needs to be re-examined. They pointed to inflation, labour shortages and public underfunding as reasons behind the cancellation.
In a statement, they called the decision to cancel “heartbreaking.”
“Free access to all citizens has always been central to our mission, but today we have to completely review our model and our financing if we want the event to survive and stay free,” said Dimitri Soudas, president of the board, in a statement. “I hope that we will be able to convince our partners to update their financial support according to today’s costs of production.”
“Merry Montreal” has been happening annually in Old Montreal and the Old Port since 2013. There are free activities followed by fireworks at night.
Organizers say it was one of the largest New Year’s Eve parties in Canada.
“We are confident that our private and public partners will be committed to supporting the mission of the event so that we come back stronger, and always free to access, in 2023,” said Martin Durocher, the co-founder and vice-chairman of the board of administration for Merry Montreal.
