As festivities kick off for the 183rd Fete Nationale in Quebec, the Mouvement national des Québécois is pressing the provincial government to earmark more funding for the event.

MNQ president Martine Desjardins said the funding allocated to the festivities have remained at $3.6 million since cuts were made in 2014. She argued that at least $4 million is required to hold festivities “worthy of a self-respecting nation.”  

Meantime, Desjardins is welcoming all Quebecers to take part in the Saint-Jean festivities: major shows are planned, including a big show at Place des Festivals in Montreal starting at 9 p.m. Friday and a parade on Saturday along St-Denis St. starting at 1 p.m.

Earlier this month, Heritage Minister Melanie Joly said the Canadian government was spending $2.4 million to fund activities in multiple cities, including Whitehorse, Toronto, Moncton, and Winnipeg.

But for the first time, that federal money will also go in part to Quebec City – it split evenly among the six cities, with a goal to honour and promote the French language and francophone culture.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be in Quebec Friday, making stops in Boischatel, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, the Mauricie, Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade and Trois-Rivières.



With files from The Canadian Press