Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / Chilliwack council is set to vote today (Feb. 20) on a request by city staff to outsource some of the Canada Day festivities involving community engagement, MC duties and food truck coordination.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

City of Chilliwack

City of Chilliwack to outsource 2024 Canada Day festivities

Feb 20, 2024 | 12:33 PM

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack council is set to vote today (Feb. 20) on a request by city staff to outsource some of the Canada Day festivities involving community engagement, MC duties and food truck coordination.

According to a staff report from Carol Marleau, manager of recreation services and corporate wellness for the the City of Chilliwack, the municipality has examined a number of ways to deliver a successful Canada Day celebration to the community.

In 2022 and 2023, Marleau wrote, city staff took the lead in coordinating and implementing the event, rebranding it as “Arrive At Five” with a focus on family activities, music and food.

While Marleau said the effort was successful when combined with the growing number of community events, coupled with an increase in block parties, she said staff capacity has been reached and that model is no longer sustainable. This direct approach differs from what she called the city’s “unique delivery model” due to the municipality’s policy of contracting out services and programming via agreements and partnerships, which keeps Chilliwack’s tax rate as one of the lowest in the Lower Mainland while securing subject matter experts.

Staff are currently communicating with Margaret Kostrezewa, Trevor McDonald and Dave Ashley with a goal of utilizing their skills sets and take on the roles of the community engagement coordinator ($3,500), entertainment coordinator/emcee ($2,000) and food truck coordinator ($200), respectively.

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Since the cumulative budget for these proposed services is below $10,000, Marleau said this sourcing can be supported by a city procurement policy directive. Staff are recommending that council give staff the go-ahead to secure the services of these three individuals.