Multicultural Festival cancellation in Halifax still a mystery to culture minister
Angela MacIvor, Susan Bradley | CBC News | Posted: May 13, 2016 10:25 AM | Last Updated: May 13, 2016
'I have no idea where we're at with them,' says Nova Scotia Culture Minister Tony Ince
Nova Scotia's Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage said he's surprised this year's Multicultural Festival isn't going ahead.
While organizers still aren't speaking five days after CBC News reported the cancellation, Tony Ince said the province held back some funding this year because some financial documents weren't supplied.
"I was a bit surprised. I've worked with that festival and volunteered and helped out so we value everything that they bring. They do help bring a part of our society together, which helps us celebrate the diversity in our province."
He acknowledged the government only paid out half of the $60,000 it normally gives to the the Multicultural Association of Nova Scotia in 2015.
"A year ago, we started out to give them the $60,000. We only gave them $30,000. We held the other $30,000 back from them because we requested, as normal, financial statements and the documentation so that we could move forward," he told CBC's Information Morning.
"We've worked with them for over a year. We've had several meetings with them and to date, we still do not have the documentation." As a result, the government did not fund the association this year.
'We're not too concerned'
He said there are no plans to have a financial audit yet.
"They're difficult to get a hold of, so I can't answer that question at this moment because I have no idea where we're at with them."
Repeated requests by CBC for an interview with executive director Mohamed Ifthikhar Illyas have gotten no response.
The association's office is closed and the group appears to be in the process of moving out.
Ince said the province still supports other cultural organizations.
'There are anomalies'
"We do fund many other organizations — ISANS, Turkish organizations, the Iranian association — so there are many organizations," he said.
"There are many processes and steps we put in place before this money goes out the door with many conditions so we're not too concerned. You know there are anomalies."
Vendors who registered and paid to participate in the festival were shocked to hear that it won't be going ahead in June.
The association has also been the subject of lawsuits over unpaid bills.