Pride Toronto's $900K shortfall sparks NDP call for ‘stable' and ‘predictable' funding
With Pride Toronto facing a $900,000 deficit and warning next year's event could look drastically different, Ontario's New Democrats are urging the province to step up their financial commitment.
'The provincial government has largely left arts and culture funding the same since 2009,' Toronto Centre MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam, told CTV News Toronto. 'It hasn't kept up with the rate of inflation and any funding that the government says that they have infused is largely related to COVID activity, which was one-time funding.'
The Ontario NDP says it has introduced a motion in legislature that calls for 'stable' and 'predictable' funding for major cultural events such as Pride Toronto, which they say generates enormous economic returns.
While Pride Toronto has dominated headlines in recent weeks, Wong-Tam says it's part of a wider crisis stemming from over a decade of flat funding for Ontario's $26-billion arts and culture sector, which employs 270,000 people.
'Organizations like Pride Toronto, plus all the other major festivals in Ontario, have been struggling to gain access to provincial funding,' they said. 'What that means is that they are so much more reliant on corporate partnerships and what we've seen is that corporate partnerships can be fickle.'
'Not asking for a handout'
In a press conference held last week, Pride Toronto Executive Director Kojo Modeste confirmed losses from organizations such as Google, Home Depot, Nissan and Clorox — some of whom, he says, already committed to participate in this year's events.
He says the loss, combined with soaring costs and security expenses, pushed the festival's projected shortfall to nearly $1 million, straining their $5-million budget.
'We are not asking for a handout; we are asking for our fair share of the pie,' Modeste said, noting that Pride generates $200 million in taxable revenue. 'As we face our current challenge, we're not asking for much, we're asking for less than one per cent of the taxable revenue we bring in annually.'
Some governments have already answered the call.
The City of Toronto increased its annual funding by 35 per cent to $350,000 this year. However, Modeste said there's been little movement from Queen's Park or Ottawa.
Insurance costs alone have jumped nearly 200 per cent since 2022, and Modeste told CTV that they now spend over $425,000 on security annually.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Ontario's Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming wrote to CTV News Toronto suggesting that they have already provided funding to Pride Toronto this year.
'This year our government is providing Pride Toronto with over $450,000 including advertising space and sponsorships, which includes $335,000 in direct grant funding from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming – part of the over $1.9 million we have provided directly to the organization since 2018," they wrote in an email.
'In addition to funding for Pride Toronto, our government provides support to eight other 2SLGBTQIA+ events across the province.'
More than just emergency relief
The motion introduced by the NDP is about more than just emergency relief, Wong-Tam explains — it's about rethinking how Ontario supports a major employer and economic driver.
'Whether it's through the collection of tax revenues or the employment of people, arts and culture does a lot to hit above its weight, to foster tourism and to promote social cohesion and the economy.'
Wong-Tam added that festivals like Pride not only activate public space but also contribute to Ontario's brand as a vibrant, inclusive destination — something that both the Conservative and previous Liberal governments haven't made a priority.
'I would say that the Government of Ontario has very little relationship with a juggernaut like Pride Toronto,' they said.
According to Ontario Art Council, their share of government's budget stands at just $60 million, adding that 'OAC's base budget has been mostly at this level since 2009.'
'Perfect time for Canadian corporations'
Without stable government backing, Wong-Tam warns Ontario risks undermining years of both cultural and economic progress.
'Would you rather reduce the GDP by $26 billion annually? Would you rather see the unemployment lines go up?' they said. 'If their answer is yes, then they're not civic-minded people.'
Wong-Tam points to Quebec as a model, where provincial funding is more robust and integrated into long-term cultural planning.
'Can you imagine what we would have in Toronto and Ontario if governments stepped up with a strategic plan to infuse money into these festivals that hire hundreds of thousands of people in Ontario?'
For now, the motion has not been scheduled for debate. But Wong-Tam said the urgency is growing.
'This is the perfect time for Canadian corporations to step up if they can,' they said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
22 minutes ago
- CTV News
Saint John marks National Indigenous Peoples Day
Celebrations across the Maritimes took place Saturday to mark National Indigenous People Day. In Saint John, or its traditional name Menahqesk, a vibrant celebration was held by Place Fort La Tour at the mouth of the Saint John (Wolastoq) River. The community event featured traditional drum songs, powwow dancer exhibitions, and even offered chances for everyone to join in on the dancing fun. Nipahtuwet Naka Wespahtuwet Possesom Paul, the CEO of Double Curve Media, said the event offered a chance to share his culture as Wabanaki Confederacy alumni. 'If you invite people in a good way they resonate with what you're trying to do,' Paul said when asked about the large turnout and participation in inter-tribal and social dances. 'I feel like if you take the time to explain things to people and really make it open and accessible, people will participate.' National Indigenous Peoples Day in Saint John A dancer performs at the National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations in Saint John on Saturday, June 21, 2025. (Avery MacRae/CTV Atlantic) The celebrations held from coast to coast to coast are an integral way to share with the public the culture of Indigenous peoples, Paul said, especially when they have a chance to join in on the fun. He hopes people who attended any events held in the region think about the First Nations communities around them. He points out there are more than 300 different nations across Canada. 'They all have their own culture with their own food, their own music, their own way of being, their own ways of dancing,' said Paul. 'It's important for people to reach out to their communities around them to really understand who their neighbors are.' Paul also said it's important to recognize Indigenous peoples come from all different backgrounds, pointing out that he is a Wolastoqey man and his people come from the Saint John (Wolastoq) River. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTV News
35 minutes ago
- CTV News
Winnipeggers celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day at The Forks
The Forks honoured National Indigenous Peoples Day in Winnipeg on June 21, 2025. (Zach Kitchen/CTV News Winnipeg) The Forks marked National Indigenous Peoples Day on Saturday with a wide range of events and activities. The event, a collaboration with the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba (TRCM), the honoured the cultures, histories, and contributions of Indigenous people. Events included a bannock breakfast, Kookum fashion show, and Indigenous handmade market. In addition, the Píhtikwé Skatepark accepted donations for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs for wildfire support. 'We're celebrating all Manitobans both today and through the next couple of days as well,' said Tineke Buiskool-Leeuwma, Communications and Marketing Advisor for The Forks. 'The Forks is an original meeting place for over 6,000 years, so people have been gathering here forever, and it's just a great place to bring people together from all over Manitoba,' Buiskool-Leeuwma said. Saturday's events ran from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with additional programming on Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. The two-day event is part of The Forks 11-day celebration of 'Many Nations, One Heartbeat', connecting National Indigenous Peoples Day and Canada Day. Each day features free, family-friendly programming to celebrate parties to the treaties and those who live on treaty land today. There are several other National Indigenous Peoples Day events happening throughout Manitoba this weekend including a day-long celebration at Assiniboine Park on Sunday.
CTV News
35 minutes ago
- CTV News
Saskatchewan exempts Canada Disability Benefit from income assistance programs
The SAID program provides long-term income support and services to those with disabilities. (Pexels) The Government of Saskatchewan has announced that the Canada Disability Benefit will be exempt from its core income assistance programs. This means that people with disabilities can receive up to $200 per month in additional federal income without affecting their provincial income assistance benefits. Social Services Minister Terry Jenson says this will put more money in the pockets of Saskatchewan income assistance clients. 'Our government is committed to supporting people with disabilities, and we brought our Saskatchewan perspective to collaborations with the Government of Canada on this new program,' Jenson said in a news release. The province says as part of the 2025-26 budget, Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) and Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) benefits have increased by two per cent. The SAID program provides long-term income support and services to those with disabilities. SAID benefits include a living income benefit, disability income benefit, and exceptional need income benefit, varying depending on individual needs. As of April 1, 2025, annual earned income exemptions have been updated to $7,500 for singles, $8,700 for couples, and $9,500 for families
