The Coronavirus Pandemic could be about to claim its next victim: Vancouver’s annual Pacific National Exhibition (PNE). Mayor Kennedy Stewart has called upon Premier Horgan and the BC Government for financial aid as a last resort to save the event.

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This morning, Mayor Stewart publicly called on John Horgan and the provincial government for 8-million dollars to save the PNE, or else the event as we “now know and love it could end.” This is following the announcement that playland would not be opening on May first as originally planned due to the newest wave of provincial restrictions. Playland is now planning for a May long weekend opening date, whether that is able to happen or not will depend on case numbers and government restrictions.

The annual PNE has been a favorite of Vancouver residents, and people traveling from all across the province for over 110 years. Looking at being unable to operate for a second year in a row, the PNE is facing a projected 15-million dollars of debt.

As a non profit, it was warned that this deficit would take upwards of fifteen years to fully recover from, and could change the events future forever if it does survive. Being a not-for-profit event and organization, the PNE was, and still is, ineligible for government funding and grants.

PNE President and CEO Shelly Frost stated that the PNE annually “provide(s) 4,300 jobs, 9,500 indirect jobs and we generate $200 million in economic impact for the region.”

The loss of the PNE would be a monumental loss. The event has been a staple of Vancouver culture for over a century, year in and year out, and generations of Canadians have traveled from far and wide to enter the playland gates.

Kennedy finished by saying “I sincerely hope that Premier Horgan will come to the table and provide the support that the PNE deserves so that we can look forward to another 100 years of memories.”