Federal MP Hosts Reception for Bromont WEG Amid Funding Concerns

In a well-timed show of support, the federal MP for the Brome-Missisquoi district, of which Bromont is a part, is hosting a reception for the organizing committee of the Bromont World Equestrian Games in Ottawa at the House of Commons on June 8th. The Honourable Denis Paradis, a Liberal MP, is hosting the reception and has invited members of the House of Commons, Senators and their staff to hear about his support for the event and the significant financial impact it would have in his area. This is a welcome development for the WEG committee which has not yet received vital federal government support and has revealed a critical cash shortfall.

Following the departure of the second CEO and four board members at the end of April, the remaining committee, consisting of interim chairman Rosaire Houde, and three representatives from Equestrian Canada Tony Eames, Lisa Lazarus, and Jorge Berhard, commissioned an extensive analysis on the status of the event. The results revealed that in addition to securing the support of the federal government, organizers needed to immediately source $25million from the private sector to ensure the shows financial viability.

The group of four have taken it upon themselves to approach all possible sources to try and secure financial commitments to cover the gap. “If we don’t get the support, it won’t happen,” said Eames who added that he doesn’t expect the cash straight away, but needs firm pledges by mid-July to ensure the event can proceed. “We have to give it a go because we might succeed,” added Berhard, ECs newly elected president.

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Aside from the $25million from the private sector, the group have asked for $8.75 million from the Minister for Sport and Persons with Disabilities and have just recently submitted a business case to support the request. Of particular interest to the government will be the estimated 450,000 – 500,000 spectators (72,000 unique visitors) generating a total economic impact of $435 million in the province, $274 million occurring in Bromont/Montreal.

In an Economic Impact Projection report generated by the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance, the projected spending for operations and visitors is expected to reach an estimated $181 million, generating net economic activity of $208 million in the Province of Quebec, of which $118 million will occur in the Bromont/Montreal area. These expenditures will support $138 million in wages and salaries in the Province and an estimated 2,434 jobs, of which 1,600 will be in Bromont/Montreal. Further, the event is estimated to generate $90 million in tax revenues including $36 million for the federal government, $38 million for the province, and $16 million in municipal taxes, of which $13 million will be in Bromont/Montreal.

If the organizing committee is not successful in their efforts, they will be forced to admit defeat and advise the FEI that they will need to re-allocate the event to another venue.