CultureFestivals

Legion secures money for Canada Day celebrations

Local Canada Day celebrations will proceed as planned, thanks to additional funding from the Yukon government, the Whitehorse Legion said Monday.

Legion president Joe Mewett had said in a May 1 letter that a $20,000 funding shortfall had thrust major elements of the festivities into jeopardy.

Heritage Canada had advised the Legion that its funding for the celebrations had been slashed by about a third, or $10,000.

To make matters worse, the City of Whitehorse had also cut its contribution for the event by $1,820.

“Last month, we faced an unexpected reduction in funding from Canadian Heritage, which jeopardized the entertainment portion of our Canada Day event,” the Legion recalled in a statement released Monday.

“This financial setback created significant stress and planning difficulties. The possibility of cancelling the festivities led to negative community feedback, as many felt it was unfair to cancel such a beloved tradition.”

Canada Day entertainment celebrating Yukon arts and culture is “a cherished part of our community’s celebration,” the Legion said, “and we have always strived to make it a memorable event for all.

“Despite the challenges, we planned a parade and an opening ceremony featuring a flag-raising and cake. However, without sufficient funding, there were clear limits to what we could achieve.”

In what the Legion called “a crucial turn of events,” the territorial Department of Economic Development extended a one-time grant to the Whitehorse Legion, enabling it to continue with its Canada Day entertainment program.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Yukon government for their timely support, which ensures our community can enjoy the celebrations as usual.”

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