Some Huron County residents unhappy about major cuts to arts and multicultural programs
Upper-tier municipality’s 2026 budget has a 4.55% tax levy increase to focus on infrastructure needs
Some Huron County residents say funding cuts to arts and culture events and programs are out of touch and will take away opportunities to build community and local tourism in the region.
The county’s 2026 budget included the cancellation or significant scale back of 19 programs and five projects to lower the tax rate and prioritize infrastructure needs. Majority of the cuts focused on the arts sector, multicultural events, climate projects and Indigenous programming.
Those cuts include: the Main Street Arts Festival, Jane’s Walks, Octoberfest on Ontario’s West Coast, Maple Mania and the Huron County Climate Change Report.
“As somebody who lives here and has participated in many of the events, festivals and programs that are now on the chopping block, and has seen firsthand not only the want but need for them from residents here … it’s incredibly disheartening,” said Blyth artist Kelly Stevenson.
“The county wants to be somewhere people want to come and invest money, but if there is no culture or community here your taxable citizens are not going to grow because there is no quality of life, which is what arts and culture brings to people.”
The county, located north of London, Ont., will also be eliminating 13 non-unionized jobs. Its warden Jamie Heffer said the budget required difficult decisions to be made because projects like road and bridge upgrades and emergency services were a priority.
On March 18, it passed its budget and landed on a tax levy increase of 4.55 per cent. This marks a 2.78 per cent tax rate increase from 2025.
“Obviously, the cost of everything is going up and we’re looking at a lot of high infrastructure needs in the years ahead and we need to be responsible and prepared for that,” said Heffer.
“This budget reflects the balance between maintaining those core services and managing cost responsibly.”
The upper tier municipality is made up of nine local townships and municipalities, including: Ashfield Colborne Wawanosh, Bluewater, Central Huron, Goderich, Howick, Huron East, North Huron, Morris-Turnberry and South Huron.
Programs brought community together, resident says
Stevenson works with local high school students, many of whom have shared the region lacks opportunities to pursue art as a profession and in turn, drives away local talent to other places.
Katrina McQuail, a second-generation family farmer based in Lucknow, shares those sentiments. She said events like the multicultural festival, Jane’s Walks, Maple Mania and others that will lose funding, bring people together and boost local tourism.
The loss of these programs means the loss of rapport with cultural groups like Indigenous communities and environmental protections for the future, she said.
“It seems like as a county, we aren’t concerned about celebrating and encouraging diversity and the incredible things our community has to offer and we also aren’t concerned about climate resilience,” said McQuail.
The mother of three is personally impacted by the cancellation of the Museum Summer Day Camps, which she said is about $500 cheaper than other day camps, she said, adding that residents would’ve been open to tax increases if it meant continuing these programs.
Heffer said the county explored many alternatives but operational needs such as road and bridge upgrades and emergency services, had to be addressed.
“We understand that not everyone will agree with these decisions, but council has that responsibility to take a long-term view and make choices that ensure that the county remains financially stable and able to serve our residents with what we can do going forward,” he said.
Heffer emphasized the funding cuts don’t necessarily mean the end to these programs and welcomes residents find other funding sources to keep them going. However, Stevenson notes that’s not so easy.
“It’s increasingly hard when every part of living costs more money. Grassroots stuff is doable but at the same time, who’s funding it when so many arts workers are already overworked, underpaid and expected to do things for exposure or for very little money,” said Stevenson.
Both Stevenson and McQuail said the community will find ways to fund these events but they will likely be more streamlined as a result of fewer resources at the local level.
By Isha Bhargava · CBC News
