Latest news with #VancouverPrideSociety
CTV News
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
As Vancouver Pride begins, security, finances in focus
The Davie Village Pride Fest is returning this year after a six-year hiatus. (CTV News) Setup is underway in the Davie Village, with Pride events taking place throughout the weekend. And while many are excited, security and financial considerations are top of mind. 'This is supposed to be a safe, festive, fun celebration of diversity in our community and we will do everything that we can to make sure that it continues to be that way,' said Sgt. Steve Addison of the Vancouver Police Department Friday. 'That means uniformed officers, VPD personnel, traffic closures where needed, barricades to block streets.' While many in the community are grateful for the security preparations, which include concrete barriers to protect against vehicles entering the heart of the party – the costs associated with that bring their own challenges. The Vancouver Pride Society has been vocal about wanting the City of Vancouver to contribute more to the event. 'It's a little galling that basically the way the city has been funding the Vancouver Pride Society is they charge us this huge bill for security and clean up costs, and then they discount us a little bit and they call that sponsoring,' Vancouver Pride Society secretary Morgane Oger told CTV News on Friday. The City of Vancouver has said it is contributing $75,000 in in-kind support to the society for this weekend's events, and has contributed nearly $100,000 in grants since 2020. Adding to the challenges for organizers, there's been a major drop-off in corporate sponsorship for the event in recent years. But there are changes this year that many are welcoming. The route is going back to an east-west path, ending closer to the heart of the West End. That change is coinciding with the return of the Davie Village Pride Fest after a six-year hiatus. 'It's huge,' said Teri Smith with the West End Business Improvement Association, of the change in trajectory of the route. 'We heard very loud and clear from our community, both our businesses and our residents, that when the parade relocated and the festival along with it, there was a huge sense of loss.' Celebrations began Friday, running through the weekend, with the main event on Sunday with the parade and the Pride Fest in Davie Village.
The Province
01-08-2025
- Politics
- The Province
‘It's unfair': Vancouver Pride slams city over costs while fireworks festival gets free ride
An $80,000 bill leaves Vancouver Pride asking why its parade pays while fireworks festival gets full city coverage. A giant rainbow flag is carried during the Vancouver Pride Parade, in Vancouver, on Sunday, July 31, 2022. Photo by DARRYL DYCK / THE CANADIAN PRESS Vancouver Pride Society says it's being unfairly forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars to cover some of the municipal costs for policing and cleanup of its annual parade, while another massive summer event, the Celebration of Light, gets those costs covered entirely by the City of Vancouver. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors 'It's unfair,' said Morgane Oger, secretary of the Vancouver Pride Society, to Postmedia News just days before the event. 'We're being charged for essential services like policing and sanitation, while a privately run fireworks show gets those same municipal services for free.' More than 200,000 people are expected downtown Vancouver this Sunday for the city's 46th annual Pride parade, the largest of its kind in Western Canada. The annual event began in 1978 as a grassroots march through the West End and has grown into one of Vancouver's biggest public events, relying on donations, grants and volunteers to stage it. Morgane Oger, secretary of the Vancouver Pride Society. Photo by Jason Payne / PNG But despite its scale and significance, the non-profit society behind the parade is upset that it's being asked to shoulder city costs that the fireworks festival doesn't. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It's money we could have used to keep the Vancouver Pride Parade going. This year, we barely managed to go ahead,' said Oger. Six major sponsors, including Walmart, pulled out, resulting in a $400,000 drop from the parade's typical $900,000 in commercial sponsorship revenue. Vancouver Pride Society attributes the decline to what it describes as a chilling political climate for 2SLGBTQ+ communities across North America. In an email to Oger on Tuesday, Jodie Shebib, Vancouver's associate director of film and special events, confirmed that under the FestShare program — created by council to support non-commercial, public events — Pride is eligible for up to 75 per cent coverage of city service costs to a maximum of $75,000. The event has received such support since 2019. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Oger said the Pride society's parade expenses often exceed that support, largely due to overtime costs for police managing large crowds and ensuring public safety along the route. 'We're still in debt from last year's event because of a city licensing fee that included policing costs totalling around $150,000,' she said. Under the current city policy, operational costs are billed to event organizers after the event takes place on public property. The Celebration of Light, organized by the Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society and backed by corporate sponsors, receives full in-kind support from the city. That includes police, fire, sanitation and engineering services, all fully covered through 'a historical decision made by council in 2001 that continues through to today,' Shebib wrote. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Vancouver during the 2024 Vancouver Pride Parade, held on Sunday, Aug. 5. Photo by PNG In a statement Wednesday, the City of Vancouver said the Pride society racked up about $180,000 in city and police costs in 2024, but was only billed around $90,000 after applying available credits, including the full $75,000 FestShare subsidy and an extra $20,000 credit covering additional public safety costs. The total included approximately $154,000 for Vancouver police services, $15,100 for sanitation, $9,700 for traffic operations, $3,000 for water works and just under $1,000 for sewers. The city added that in 2025, the Pride parade will receive the same level of support as hundreds of other events through the FestShare program. It also said it will continue to directly cover public safety costs, such as additional policing and vehicle barriers, at no cost to the event. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. This approach, the city said, is consistent with its current special event policy, 'which ensures equitable treatment across all major events.' Vancouver Pride Parade isn't the only event with operational costs, such as policing and cleanup, that exceed the city's $75,000 special event coverage. The city said Khatsahlano, Italian Day, the Vaisakhi Parade and Canada Day also surpass that limit. Oger said Wednesday the Pride society is not seeking special treatment when it comes to operational costs from the city. 'We're just asking for equal treatment,' she said. sgrochowski@ Read More Vancouver Whitecaps Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Whitecaps News Celebrity
Global News
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Global News
‘They give us a huge bill': Vancouver Pride says city fees too onerous
On the eve of Vancouver's annual Pride Parade, organizers say they're being forced to shoulder an unfair portion of the costs to put on the event. The Vancouver Pride Society says the City of Vancouver requires it to cover tens of thousands of dollars in cleaning and policing costs. It contrasted that with the Celebration of Light fireworks display, which saw the city take care of those costs. 'The city, it does give us a grant, but it's like a discount basically. They give us a huge bill and say we're going to take a little bit off,' Pride Society secretary Morgane Oger told Global News. 'Last year the final bill from the city was a hundred and something thousand, this year it's looking like we're going to be paying $130,000 all said and done.' Story continues below advertisement 4:28 Family Services of Greater Vancouver supporting queer and trans youth According to the city, the Celebration of Light has a 'legacy' agreement that was passed by council in 2001, which sees the city cover the entirety of associated costs. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The city said Pride is eligible for up to $75,000 through its city's FestShare program. With the exception of the fireworks, that FestShare funding is the same for all other events in the city, it said. The Pride Parade is returning for 2025 with a shorter route than in previous years as it grapples with financial pressures, including the growing cost of public safety. The Aug. 3 procession will head from east to west this year, a reversal from previous events, starting at Pacific Boulevard near Griffiths Way. The parade will end at the intersection of Burrard and Pacific streets, a few blocks from the Davie Village Pride Festival, which will take over Davie Street between Burrard and Jervis streets.
Vancouver Sun
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
‘It's unfair': Vancouver Pride slams city over costs while fireworks festival gets free ride
Vancouver Pride Society says it's being unfairly forced to spend tens of thousands of dollars to cover some of the municipal costs for policing and cleanup of its annual parade, while another massive summer event, the Celebration of Light, gets those costs covered entirely by the City of Vancouver. 'It's unfair,' said Morgane Oger, secretary of the Vancouver Pride Society, to Postmedia News just days before the event. 'We're being charged for essential services like policing and sanitation, while a privately run fireworks show gets those same municipal services for free.' Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. More than 200,000 people are expected downtown Vancouver this Sunday for the city's 46th annual Pride parade, the largest of its kind in Western Canada. The annual event began in 1978 as a grassroots march through the West End and has grown into one of Vancouver's biggest public events, relying on donations, grants and volunteers to stage it. But despite its scale and significance, the non-profit society behind the parade is upset that it's being asked to shoulder city costs that the fireworks festival doesn't. 'It's money we could have used to keep the Vancouver Pride Parade going. This year, we barely managed to go ahead,' said Oger. Six major sponsors, including Walmart, pulled out, resulting in a $400,000 drop from the parade's typical $900,000 in commercial sponsorship revenue. Vancouver Pride Society attributes the decline to what it describes as a chilling political climate for 2SLGBTQ+ communities across North America. In an email to Oger on Tuesday, Jodie Shebib, Vancouver's associate director of film and special events, confirmed that under the FestShare program — created by council to support non-commercial, public events — Pride is eligible for up to 75 per cent coverage of city service costs to a maximum of $75,000. The event has received such support since 2019. Oger said the Pride society's parade expenses often exceed that support, largely due to overtime costs for police managing large crowds and ensuring public safety along the route. 'We're still in debt from last year's event because of a city licensing fee that included policing costs totalling around $150,000,' she said. Under the current city policy, operational costs are billed to event organizers after the event takes place on public property. The Celebration of Light, organized by the Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society and backed by corporate sponsors, receives full in-kind support from the city. That includes police, fire, sanitation and engineering services, all fully covered through 'a historical decision made by council in 2001 that continues through to today,' Shebib wrote. In a statement Wednesday, the City of Vancouver said the Pride society racked up about $180,000 in city and police costs in 2024, but was only billed around $90,000 after applying available credits, including the full $75,000 FestShare subsidy and an extra $20,000 credit covering additional public safety costs. The total included approximately $154,000 for Vancouver police services, $15,100 for sanitation, $9,700 for traffic operations, $3,000 for water works and just under $1,000 for sewers. The city added that in 2025, the Pride parade will receive the same level of support as hundreds of other events through the FestShare program. It also said it will continue to directly cover public safety costs, such as additional policing and vehicle barriers, at no cost to the event. This approach, the city said, is consistent with its current special event policy, 'which ensures equitable treatment across all major events.' Vancouver Pride Parade isn't the only event with operational costs, such as policing and cleanup, that exceed the city's $75,000 special event coverage. The city said Khatsahlano, Italian Day, the Vaisakhi Parade and Canada Day also surpass that limit. Oger said Wednesday the Pride society is not seeking special treatment when it comes to operational costs from the city. 'We're just asking for equal treatment,' she said. sgrochowski@
CBC
11-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Vancouver Pride Parade will go ahead despite losing half its corporate sponsorship
Social Sharing Vancouver Pride Society's flagship parade is scheduled to go ahead this August, despite losing about half of its corporate sponsors. Organizers say it's due to a wave of social conservatism rolling through North America, particularly coming from the United States, as well as tough economic times. "We've seen a significant political push against LGBT issues and against [equity, diversity and inclusion]," said Morgane Oger, secretary for Vancouver Pride, told Stephen Quinn, host of CBC's The Early Edition. "That stuff doesn't happen without consequence." Oger said this year's Pride events will be a little bit smaller and simpler as a result of the lost sponsorship. "The economy is a little harder for corporations right now," she added. "Sponsoring events might be something that they jettison in order to keep the business going." One example of a corporate change is Lululemon, which has previously sponsored events hosted by Vancouver Pride Society, but has chosen not to sponsor it this year. "While we may not be directly sponsoring Vancouver Pride Society's celebrations, we are committed to creating meaningful experiences that uplift the community in Vancouver and beyond," the company said in an emailed statement. The company said it is instead supporting LGBTQ2IA+ events around the continent, focusing on trans-centred community spaces, offering free wellness events to celebrate Pride month, and organizing events led by local LGBTQ2IA+ fitness and wellness professionals. WATCH | Vancouver event organizers explain parade changes for Pride 2025: Vancouver Pride Parade going ahead despite financial strain, board confirms 2 hours ago Duration 2:11 John Boychuk, co-chair of Vancouver Pride Society, said this year's parade route has changed direction and been shortened considerably. The parade, he said, will now run from east to west and then end in Davie Village at Burrard Street. Boychuk said organizers heard feedback that last year's route was "just far too long" for participants and attendees, who cited accessibility issues and concerns about heat exhaustion. "We're trying to condense the parade itself, because people feel that two, three hours of standing along the sides hooting and hollering and supporting gets exhausting." Shortening the route also reduces costs, and Oger noted the event's biggest expense is policing. While Boychuk agreed the "claw back" in sponsorships has been a challenge, he said it won't dampen the spirits of this year's events. "It's a standout march. It is a cry out for human rights around the world. It represents the equality and the balance that is in this community and in this city.… That's never going to stop." The Vancouver Pride Parade will be held Sunday, Aug. 3, on the same day as the return of the Davie Village Pride Festival, coming back after a six-year hiatus from 2 to 10 p.m. along Davie Street from Burrard Street to Jervis Street.
