Organizers of several Canada Day celebrations across Mississauga are pushing the city for additional funding to ensure the patriotic parties in July are as “spectacular” as advertised.

A motion from Mississauga Ward 1 Coun. Stephen Dasko to be discussed Wednesday morning at city council seeks the full funding requested by Port Credit, Malton and Streetsville business improvement areas for their respective Canada Day celebrations in 2026.

All three BIAs asked for financial help earlier this year through the City of Mississauga’s annual Cultural Festivals and Celebrations Grant Program.

And all three organizations received smaller amounts than requested, Dasko’s motion notes.

The Port Credit BIA received $137,000 of a requested $197,627, the Malton BIA received $15,000 of the $27,000 it requested and the Streetsville BIA was awarded $20,000 of its $40,000 ask.

The councillor’s motion asks that the financial shortfall in each case be awarded to the BIA groups — an additional $60,627 for Port Credit, $12,000 for Malton and $20,000 for Streetsville.

Dasko stated in his motion that full funding for the three celebrations is justified as “Canada Day is a day of immense significance” and “spectacular Canada Day celebrations and festivities are held across our country and city each year where Canadians patriotically gather together and unite to celebrate our shared heritage and take pride in our great country.”

The motion also asks that city staff review the commitment the city makes towards Canada Day across the city, “including but not limited to reviewing potential alternative funding supports that can be provided as an alternative to the established grant process for 2027 and beyond.”

For a while early last year, it looked like the annual Port Credit Canada Day celebration wasn’t going to happen in 2025, which left Dasko, who represents the area on council, and many others in the community disheartened.

Money difficulties and other logistical issues threatened to cancel the event before new financial backing saved the day — and the Canada Day party.

In a letter dated Feb. 24 sent to the mayor and council, Malton BIA chair Sam Kohli described that community’s annual Canada Day celebration as a “vital annual tradition for our community” and added “full grant funding is essential to the efficient and responsible planning of Malton Celebrates Canada Day 2026.”

Continuing, Kohli wrote “it is a day where we unite to celebrate our national heritage and our distinct local identity within Mississauga.”

Furthermore, the BIA chair noted, the additional $12,000 for Malton will allow organizers to “manage vital infrastructure and technical requirements such as stage rentals, sound and video services, fireworks and necessary permits.”

The full $27,000 requested is also needed “for maintaining health and safety standards through the provision of professional security and emergency services, particularly during extreme weather conditions,” the letter continued.


INsauga’s Editorial Standards and Policies

Last 30 Days: 54,216 Votes

All Time: 1,234,175 Votes

253 VOTES
Have you had to cut back on buying certain groceries to save money?

WIN A $100 GIFT CARD

Subscribe to INsauga’s daily email newsletter for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card.