COVID-19 could cancel Canada Day events across New Brunswick

For 26 years, Paul Wentzell has helped organize the Canada Day celebrations in Fredericton. He jokes he's a "poor succession planner."

But he's proud of the annual eventthatpacks up to 8,000 people into the downtown core for live music, children's activities, food vendors and fireworks.

"So I just keep doing it till I get too old or too tired."

This year's headline act is already booked and secured with a deposit, said the co-chair of the organizing committee.

But COVID-19has put the rest of theplanning on hold though, he said.

Fredericton, like other municipalities across New Brunswick, is awaiting direction from the provincial government, "as to what we are going to be able to do, if anything" for July 1.

"We're going to have to make a final goor no-go decision probably within a week or two," Wentzell said.

New Brunswick remains under astate of emergency, with large gatherings prohibited and physical distancing of at least six feet required to prevent the spread of the virus.

There were 117 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the province, as of Friday afternoon'supdate.

Premier Blaine Higgssaid he told 114 municipal leaders during a morning conference callthat some summer festivals and celebrations are "likely to be cancelled or postponed this year."

"Even once the current restrictions are reduced, I must caution all New Brunswickers we are not going back to business as usual any time soon," Higgstold reporters.

Asked to clarify whether the province hastold festival organizers there won't be any events this summer, Higgs said he doesn't think there's been "an official decree, as such.

"But I think everyone is reading the ... writing on the wall.

"There is no likelihood really at this point in timethat we could be in a position to have mass gatherings like a concert or like a big festival.That really is not going to be in the cards this summer," he said.

"And that likelyis something that cannot change untilwe get a vaccine."

Experts have said a vaccinecould take up to 18 months to develop, but at least 70 research teams, including some in Canada, are now working at an accelerated pace, hoping to come up with a vaccine within a year.

Federal celebration will be virtual

Canada Day celebrations organized by the federal governmentwill be virtual this year, Minister of Canadian Heritage Steven Guilbeaultannounced on Friday.

"In light of the current and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Canada and around the world, our government has decided to celebrate Canada Day differently this year, in a way that will allow us to come together virtually to share our pride in being Canadian," he said in a statement.

Canada Day will be celebrated virtually this year, heritage minister says

5 years ago

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Steven Guilbeault, minister for Canadian heritage, says Canada Day festivities will take place online this year as restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 remain in place.

The federal governmentis working with Canadian artists and artisans to put together a virtual program that reflects the country's diversity, values and talent, said Guilbeault. More details about the online event will be announced soon, he said.

'Evaluating all options'

Moncton is "evaluating all options including virtual celebrations," said spokesperson Isabelle LeBlanc

"There is no set timeline to make a decision; however, we do want to be able to provide an update as quickly as possible," she said in an email.

Saint John's Canada Day committee will need to know in May if the restrictions on large gatherings will be lifted, saidMayor Don Darling.

Tens of thousands of people flock to the uptown area every year for the festivities.

"It is a very important event for the local economy, for coming together and celebrating our nation," said Darling.

"But you know, I think at this stage, we're not in a normal circumstance," he said.

In addition to COVID-19 "we're dealing with a whole bunch of issues related to social and economic recoveries and now we're sprinkling in watching the floodwaters."

Organizers might need to get creative,he said, citing a virtual event as an example.

"Just like we celebrated Easter differently this past weekend, we may find ourselves in a position that we have to celebrate Canada Day differently."

Saint John funding at risk

A virtual event would save the cash-strapped city some money.

Saint John was already projecting a$10 million deficit in 2021, butbecause of COVID-19, it now faces a financial hit this year of between $4.2 million in the "best-case scenario" of the pandemic lastingthree months and upwards of $9 million if it lasts all of 2020, said Darling.

"We don't know yet all of the decisions that will be madeto balance our books, but we do know that we must balance our books," he said.

The city's $15,000 contribution to the Canada Day festivities is "at risk," he said.

Coronavirusis 'calling the shots'

InBathurst, the total Canada Day budgetis only about $11,000 and organizers can wait up until mid-June for a decision about whether they have to "pull the plug," said spokesperson Luc Foulem.

"I'm not going to sayit's a turnkey operation but we've been using [the same] model for a number of years now," he said.

That includes a family-oriented event at eitherYoughall Beach Park orCoronation Park during the day, with a variety of activities, games and cake, followed by activities around the promenade waterfront, culminating in the evening fireworks.

"So logistically, we have a pretty good set of operating procedures," said Foulem.

"It would be a positive thing to be able to hold that event," he said, because people have been "cooped up."

"But obviously that is not of our choosing and it is not of the provincial government's choosing either.The coronavirus is the one calling the shots on this, unfortunately.

"So we just have to abide by what the situation is right nowand we have to adjust accordingly."

Canada Day in September?

Wentzell said he'd like to see Fredericton's Canada Day event proceed, as usual.

But "in the big picture of what's going on in the world, it's pretty small potatoes."

If it gets cancelled, Wentzell said the committee could look into holding avirtual event.

Another option, he said, could be celebrating Canada Day on Labour Day weekend.

Wentzell acknowledges it would be unorthodox, but saidthese are unprecedented times.

"We're celebrating the nation, right?So you know maybe we look at it as more of a celebration of making it through this, or thanking everybody who worked so hard to get us through it."