There has been some grumbling from anti-monarchists, notably in Quebec, that the Diamond Jubilee would cost so much money at a time of deep budget cuts.
But Heritage Minister James Moore had an answer for those critics Tuesday.
He said the federal government had spent way more on other celebrations, and referred specifically to the 400th anniversary of Quebec City in 2008.
''These sums have always existed within the department for these kinds of events. Look, $100 million was spent on Quebec City's 400th anniversary,'' Moore told The Canadian Press.
Documents recently obtained by The Canadian Press, however, indicated that even Moore had concerns with the cost of the ceremony.
Documents obtained under the Access to Information Act said the minister's office instructed bureaucrats to pare down the cost from an original target of $8.8 million. That $1.3 million difference represents a cost reduction of just under 15 per cent.
The celebrations have been criticized by anti-monarchists outside Quebec, and six MPs from Quebec have refused to accept the Jubilee medals they've been invited to hand out.
Opponents of the celebration note that Australia, which is also a Commonwealth member, isn't spending any money to celebrate the anniversary.
But Moore said this year's criticism is hardly surprising. A decade ago, for the Queen's Golden Jubilee, Moore recalled there were dozens more MPs, led by the once-thriving Bloc Quebecois, who refused to participate.
''The debate on the monarchy is nothing new and it's not going to end this week,'' he said.
Original Article
Source: winnipeg free press
Author: The Canadian Press
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