Quebec increases funding for Fête nationale celebrations

The Quebec flag flies on a flag pole near a church, Tuesday, August 16, 2022 in Gatineau, Quebec. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

The Coalition Avenir Québec government is increasing funding for all 700 Fête nationale celebrations across Quebec by more than 40 per cent.

Culture and Communications Minister Mathieu Lacombe announced on Friday that the annual budget for the next three years will rise from $4.9 million to $8.5 million.

This increase is part of agreements between the government, the 14 national societies and the three Saint-Jean-Baptiste societies in Quebec.

Quebec wants “to ensure maximum predictability and stability on the ground” for the organizers of the celebrations across the province, Lacombe said at a news conference in Montreal.

“We’re happy to sign a three-year protocol, because at least we know that 50 per cent of the budget is guaranteed,” said Marie-Anne Alepin, president of the Fête nationale committee and president of the city’s Saint-Jean-Baptiste society, in an interview.

She hopes that the private sector and other partners in civil society will be there to support the events on June 23 and 24, despite the current economic uncertainty.

“For the moment, we’re getting favourable signs,” said Alepin.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French Feb. 21, 2025.