MONTREAL — Montreal has cancelled its once-annual Canada Day parade for the second time in as many years, event organizers announced this week.
Chief organizer Nicolas Cowen announced the decision in a news release, citing a number of reasons for the cancellation including potential municipal worker job action, difficult relations with city departments and planning problems.
It's the second consecutive year in which Montreal won't have a parade — an event that began in 1977. Thursday's announcement came less than two weeks before Canada Day.
"We understand this news is disappointing to many, especially the families, performers, volunteers, and attendees who look forward to this cherished tradition," organizers said in a Facebook post. "The parade has not only been a celebration of Canada but a proud reflection of Montreal’s diversity, resilience, and community spirit."
Cowen blamed red tape and politics for the 2024 cancellation, citing issues in securing permits and funding and getting approval from government officials. When the event was last held in 2023, Cowen said he was forced to complete some sets of paperwork multiple times and find 148 last-minute volunteers to satisfy city rules.
The event was also cancelled between 2020 and 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cowen said the parade has become increasingly difficult to organize without disruptions in recent years.
According to organizers, the event draws 120,000 spectators.
Cowen said he remains hopeful he can mend ties with the city and the parade can return.
"With its cancellation, not only does the city lose a major tourism draw, but Canadian culture itself takes a hit on one of the most important national holidays," organizers said.
A City of Montreal spokeswoman disputes the assertions, saying the organizer failed to submit a project proposal for the parade.
"As was the case last year, the promoter of the Canada Day parade, Nicholas Cowen, did not submit a project application to the City of Montreal, despite the city inviting him to do so on several occasions," Nicky Cayer said in an email.
Cayer says Canada on the Move, a brand new festival, did get a permit and the July 1 free event includes 13 totems — one for each province and territory — over a 1.2 kilometre route through historic Old Montreal.
An official annual event at Montreal's Old Port will also go ahead as usual at the Quai de l'Horloge.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2025.
Sidhartha Banerjee, The Canadian Press
