SuperFrancoFête Financing: Canada’s Economic Development Defends Itself

In a letter denouncing the rejection of SuperFrancoFête funding, the Canadian Economic Development Corporation (CED) defends itself by making clear that the event does not in any way meet the criteria for obtaining financial aid.

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Members of the office of the CED Minister for the Regions of Quebec, Pascal Saint Ong, confirmed receipt of the file in April. They also confirmed that a negative response was sent to the event’s organizer, Sylvain Barent-Bedard, in May.

The organization, which promotes economic development, supports only major festivals. Nothing is planned to organize a show in one day.

For example, they point out that a festival like the Carnaval de Québec, which is offered over several days, is perfectly in line with the mission of the CED, since the event increases tourism in hotels, restaurants, and businesses in downtown Quebec City.

However, according to the Minister’s office, all these explanations were sent to the organizer and warmly accepted by the President of SISMYK, a subsidiary of ComédieHa! that receive funding from the CED. It is noteworthy that the Canadian government actors did their best to find possible solutions. In the end, it turned out that SuperFrancoFête, which will be presented in the Agora de Québec to a public that sold out completely on August 31, is not eligible for any federal program.

Canadian Economic Development reports Carnival de Quebec for $3 million, Festival de Québec for $1.26 million, and ComédiHa! Fest-Québec for $10.3 million is among the festivals in the Quebec region that receive recurring contributions.