Montreal's Festival sur le Canal not cancelled after all

This year's iteration of the Festival sur le Canal, which organizers had previously said was cancelled, is going ahead after all. 

In a Facebook post, the organizers said the festival is back on. Its 18th edition will run as scheduled from June 13 to 15. 

After they announced the cancellation of the event, organizers said they received an influx of support, including from Sud-Ouest borough Mayor Benoit Dorais, local MNA Guillaume Cliche-Rivard and local businesses.

But money is still tight, the post said.

"This year, the festival is facing a significant reduction in funding," it said. "More than ever, your contribution is essential to preserving the cultural and community mission of the event. Every donation, big or small, helps ensure the Festival's future."

Typically held in mid-June along the banks of the Lachine Canal in the Sud-Ouest borough, the festival includes summer concerts that take place rain or shine. 

Admission is free, with festivalgoers encouraged to pay what they can. 

Carl Comeau, co-founder of the festival, previously told CBC production costs have surged by about 40 per cent since coming out of the pandemic, and it's been difficult to secure public and private funding in some cases.

Production costs include sound equipment, fencing and security.

He said the "biggest" issue was the amount of paperwork required to apply for funding. 

"It is mind-blowing for somebody that has a full-time job, that has to find financing for my festival every year," he said.

But despite these financial challenges, he said he refused to cut artist fees to balance the budget.