The president of the Mauricie International Canoe Classic, surrounded by the region's three affected mayors, announced on Tuesday the end of the event, which has existed since 1934.
“It is not a joy that we are putting an end to the activities of an event that has existed for 90 years,” said Yvon Laplante.
He said he was unable to continue competition in its current or any other form without further widening the deficit “of more than $400,000, which is very large and increasingly impossible to absorb.”
Unless the event is experiencing initial financial difficulties, the increase in travel costs and the risks associated with bad weather, as well as the years of the pandemic, have contributed to the widening of the deficit.
Apart from its president, the classic currently has no volunteers, no paid staff and not even a board member.
Financial losses for three cities
“The great sadness of all this is that it was an event that went beyond our three cities, that went beyond all of Mauricie for 90 years,” said Shawinigan Mayor Michel Angers, along with the mayors of Trois-Rivières and La Tuque. Each of the three cities will forfeit a bond of about $50,000. It will be the creditors who decide whether bankruptcy occurs or not. The fifteen suppliers to whom the classic car owes around $90,000 are not being paid.
“There are no more pennies in the bank account,” Mr. Laplante added, specifying that he did not want to ask municipalities for more money.
Governments can't help either, he said. “In the current structure, both classic and funding at both provincial and federal levels, it is not possible to hold an event like the classic,” said the President.
Bloc Québécois MP René Villemure would have liked more help from the federal government.
“I understand the context and understand that the federal government cannot always put money into everything. But if we talk about the Canoe Classic, it is practically a century old. It is truly intertwined with who we are. That’s why I think it’s unfortunate because the loss of history means the loss of our identity.”
Saint-Maurice-Champlain MP François-Philippe Champagne responded in writing, saying: “After 90 years, it is sad to see the Classique des canots cease operations. It is a great loss for the region.”
He added that he “remains in touch with those responsible for the organization to ensure that, if possible, [on pourra ]“Continue to support the Classic no matter what next step the organization chooses to take.”