Millions for Quebec City celebrations; zero for B.C.

Canwest News Service

OTTAWA -- Quebec City, 110 million; British Columbia, zero.

That's the score in the federal funding game for two parts of the country celebrating historic milestones.

The Quebec capital, marking its 400th anniversary, has already been granted $40 million from the Department of Canadian Heritage to pay for festivities, with an additional $70 million in federal money for infrastructure upgrades.

B.C., commemorating its 150th anniversary, has yet to be promised a penny.

Charles Parkinson, executive director of the BC150 Secretariat, which is organizing the celebration, said he requested funding last winter. "We went there, but we didn't really hear anything [back]," he said.

However, after arguing his case to the federal government, Parkinson said he believes money will be forthcoming.

Officials from Heritage Minister Josee Verner's office declined an interview, but sent an e-mail saying the organization will consider funding B.C. celebrations once it receives a detailed request.

© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2008