Officials are expressing satisfaction with celebrations held to mark Montreal’s 375th anniversary, despite the controversial multi-million dollar cost of lighting up a major Montreal bridge.
Alain Gignac, who is in charge of the celebrations, maintains the level of participation in year-long events by Montrealers hasn’t been seen since Expo 67.
“It was a time when Canadians, and particularly Montrealers, were the most proud to be part of Montreal, Canada and Quebec,” he recalled in a recent interview.
Gignac also noted that the level of satisfaction of people who took part in various activities reached 96 per cent.
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He called that “magic” considering over 200 different activities were held throughout the year.
One of the highlights of the anniversary celebrations was the lighting of the Jacques-Cartier bridge.
Gignac says the event drew about 575,000 people. But the official lighting ceremony had to be held twice.
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The first time it was disrupted by protesting Montreal police officers.
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It cost almost $40 million to illuminate the bridge that links Montreal with its south shore.
The federal agency that runs the bridge kicked in $30 million while $9.5 million came from the other levels of government.
At the time, former mayor Denis Coderre defended what he called the city’s new signature, adding that it showed Montreal is a great Metropolis.
Preliminary estimates indicate the 375th anniversary festivities will end with a budget surplus of about $7 million out of a total budget of $125 million.
A more exhaustive review of the turnout and the economic benefits from all activities will be released next March.
The year-long celebrations come to an end Dec. 31 with events planned throughout the day and into the night in Old Montreal.
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