By Gazette Staff
October 6th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
First in a series of articles on how the Sound of Music as it has been known could be a thing of the past
City Council spent more than two hours deciding on what they wanted to do with the Sound of Music request for additional funding.
Several Sound of Music delegations followed.
To fully understand how things rolled out, one has to get a grip on what Staff were recommending and why: That follows. Later today, we will summarize the delegations and then get into the details on what Council eventually decided to send to Council that will meet next on October 14th. .
There was some very surprising news in the Performing Arts delegation and a bit of a hint on what they might do next.
The Staff report to Council meeting as a Standing Committee was to decline Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival Inc.’s 2026 funding request and discontinue municipal financial support due to ongoing financial instability and non-compliance with Agreement conditions.
Jackie Johnson introduced what was a scathing Staff report that spelled the end of Sound of Music as it has been known.
Staff also recommended the reallocation of $150,000—originally designated for Sound of Music in the 2026 Operating Budget—to the Community Investment Fund.
The report also asked that Council Direct staff to report back to Council on exploration of potential opportunities for a different form of music festival and/or a different operator of a music festival at Spencer Smith Park, following a call for expressions of interest from potential event organizers.
The report also suggested the removal of Council’s Ex Officio appointment from the Burlington Sound of Music Inc.
The Staff report was certainly a detailed review of the City’s financial and operational support for Sound of Music (SOM), a free annual waterfront event delivered by Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival Inc. (BSOM), a not-for-profit organization with over four decades of history in
Burlington.
“While the festival continues to attract large crowds, in recent years, it has faced persistent financial instability. Contributing factors include the loss of major sponsorships, escalating operational costs, and underperformance in key revenue areas.
Between 2024 and 2025, the City provided nearly $1 million in combined support to BSOM,
including direct financial contributions, in-kind assistance, short-term loans, enhanced logistical
support, annual grant funding, and a private donation facilitated through municipal channels.
During this period, BSOM received close to 80% of the City’s total event support budget—
substantially more than any other festival or event in Burlington.
Emilie Cote handled much of the back-and-forth council member questions
In addition to these more recent requests, a short-term loan of $200,000 was provided to BSOM in October 2022 (F-36-22). This loan was subsequently forgiven in 2023 through one-time funding as part of the approved 2023 operating budget (Business Case 2023-058). That same business case also included an increase to BSOM’s annual operating grant, raising it from $100,093 to $150,000.
To improve accountability in connection with the City’s grant to BSOM, a Grant Agreement was introduced in 2025, which included, among other terms, the following requirements:
- That BSOM submit a business plan, to the satisfaction of the City on or before June 1, 2025.
- That BSOM repay outstanding arrears on or before September 30, 2025, with the balance at that time estimated to be approximately $20,000.
In addition to this, in May 2025, BSOM signed a loan agreement with the City for $225,000.
The loan was expected to be paid back by September 1, 2025.
Although BSOM submitted a business plan, it did not meet the necessary standards for evaluation. Key financial details and strategic insights were lacking, making it difficult for the
City to fully assess BSOM’s long-term viability and alignment with its investment principles.
As stewards of public resources, the City remains committed to supporting initiatives that demonstrate sound financial planning, strategic clarity, and sustainable impact. The remaining
conditions of the agreements have not been fulfilled to date, and no substantial payments have been made toward the outstanding loan or arrears.
As of October 6, 2025, Committee of the Whole meeting, following the final payment deadline of September 30, BSOM will continue to owe the City approximately $245,000, with additional 2025 service invoices still pending.
Despite efforts to restructure its Board and introduce measures aimed at improving its financial health, BSOM continues to operate in a deficit and has not resolved its outstanding financial obligations. A private donation of $200,000 was made to the City in support of BSOM and was applied directly to BSOM’s outstanding debt. While this contribution offered temporary relief, and allowed the 2025 festival to proceed, it did not address the deeper, systemic challenges impacting BSOM’s long-term financial sustainability.
In September 2025, BSOM submitted a new funding request, seeking:
Forgiveness of the $225,000 loan and $20,000 in arrears
A one-time emergency grant of $200,000 to cover unpaid vendor costs
An increase in annual municipal funding from $150,000 to $350,000
Given that the terms of the agreements will not be fulfilled by the September 30 deadline, and in light of the ongoing financial risk and the disproportionate level of municipal support allocated to BSOM, staff recommend that Council decline the 2026 funding request and discontinue any future financial support.
It is further recommended that Council look for ways to create opportunities to support a new music festival provider in 2026. This recommendation aligns with ongoing reviews of the Culture Plan and recreation grants, which emphasize the need for more balanced and inclusive event funding.
Preliminary community engagement confirms strong public interest in music festivals, and as such staff are planning on reporting back with options for continuing a music festival at Spencer Smith Park, , subsequent to the issuance of a call for interest targeting potential music event organizers.
Will a scene like this ever be repeated in Burlington?
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A survey asking for a response from the citizens was sent out. What was the overall feeling? Probably negative because the results were naturally never released.
why is there even discussion about this ??
Based on what’s been disclosed, the debt of SOM ….a good estimate is: $245,000 + whatever is due on the pending invoices.
Plus, the City of Burlington (your tax $$) contributes annually to BPAC (Burlington Performing Arts Centre):
in the 2024 budget, the City of Burlington proposed $1,102,006 in operating grant + $63,200 in capital contribution to BPAC.
Supporters will argue that events like the Sound of Music Festival “enhance” the downtown economy and that venues like BPAC “bring culture” to Burlington. But the reality is less romantic — both remain heavily subsidized by taxpayers, with questionable returns for the broader community. The festival may boost a few businesses for a weekend, but it does little to address the city’s year-round challenges: out of control development, traffic congestion, aging infrastructure, and strained services.
Likewise, BPAC continues to operate largely for a small circle of members, despite a new director and board — both of which come with added cost.
True cultural value doesn’t depend on endless public funding; it depends on community reach, accountability, and fiscal balance. Burlington’s leaders should be able to differentiate between investment and indulgence.
It’s time for Burlington’s council to draw a line. The Sound of Music Festival has become a perennial drain on taxpayers — repeatedly borrowing and falling behind on repayments — while BPAC continues to operate as a subsidized enclave with limited reach beyond its members.
These are not signs of cultural vitality; they’re symptoms of poor oversight and weak fiscal control. Burlington residents deserve better than to watch their tax dollars prop up struggling ventures while core city services deteriorate. The solution isn’t another loan or grant — it’s responsible leadership, clear accountability, and a commitment to invest where the return truly benefits the entire community.
Burlington should cancel public subsidies for the Sound of Music Festival and let it live or fail on it’s own merits (or lack thereof) and find private ownership for BPAC — culture shouldn’t come at the expense of essential services and growth plans.
Just imagine if Burlington council stopped funneling cash to the Sound of Music Festival and BPAC, what brilliant ideas they could come up with ……. for instance they could outfit every clogged street with their beloved money-grab speed cameras — proving once again that fiscal genius and common sense don’t live in the same city hall.
Is 2 dollars total cost per year for every Burlington resident a really a problem? This is our signature festival, and it’s provided free for everyone.
If we want the subsidy to be less, then just get someone on the festival board who is better at fundraising and attracting sponsorship dollars.
Why is it better to charge everyone $10 who goes, instead of us just providing it free for everyone at $2 a citizen. A gift for out-of-towners that pays huge dividends for us when they spend money here in Burlington and recommend it as a destination to others.
Perhaps the City of Burlington can consult/collaborate with the City of Port Colborne, who make “Canal Days” concerts such a huge success. Big acts and people come from all around to attend the free concerts and activities. I have no idea what the budget is, but they seem to be happy to do it, can it gets bigger and bigger every year (Tom Cochrane & Billy Talent in 2024, Big Sugar, Sloan, The Trews & Finger Eleven in 2025).
The BSofM has been a financial disaster and poorly managed by numerous boards, Pull the Plug.
Was Councillor Rory Nisan on the board during the spending decisions made and created this example of poor oversight.
of our tax dollars?
Moaners here talk about how many dollars the City has put into the SoM over the years as if there has been no benefit to the City, it’s residents or its businesses. It has made an investment in the fabric of this beautiful city. Being a not for profit entity the grants, loans (repaid or forgiven) etc. have not been for the benefit of a for profit commercial business, where profits, if made, inure to the benefit of the stakeholders. Providing ongoing funding to the SoM it’s not the same as supporting a lame duck commercial business. It is supporting a very important social events for our city, for its residents, for its businesses and for visitors to the city.
For the Burlington taxpayer, it is painfully apparent that BSoM has been & remains anything but FREE. The City can do better for less.
Burlington SOM received one million dollars from the City of Burlington between 2024 and 2025. Definitely Not a Free music festival!! See Link below:
https://www.google.com/search?q=burlington+sound+of+music+received+one+million+dollars+from&client=ms-android-bell-ca-rvc3&sca_esv=404b834684c619cd&sxsrf=AE3TifMORTeyDjsKAr2AQi_2O5leoyMASw%3A1759853927484&ei=Zz3laJGmHb-D0PEP4Zmm0A8&oq=Burlington+soundvif+music+received+one+million+dollars+from&gs_lp=EhNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwIjtCdXJsaW5ndG9uIHNvdW5kdmlmIG11c2ljIHJlY2VpdmVkIG9uZSBtaWxsaW9uIGRvbGxhcnMgZnJvbSoCCAAyBxAjGLACGCcyBRAAGO8FMgUQABjvBTIFEAAY7wUyCBAAGKIEGIkFSKrXAVD3W1jcrgFwAXgBkAEAmAGBAqABzAqqAQUwLjIuNLgBAcgBAPgBAZgCB6AChAvCAgoQABiwAxjWBBhHmAMA4gMFEgExIECIBgGQBgiSBwUxLjAuNqAH9SqyBwMyLTa4B_gKwgcFMi0zLjTIBzQ&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp
If council decides to continue funding the Sound of Music Festival it would be turning a deaf ear to what is happening in the world today.
Times have changed, people have changed. Would people be prepared to pay $10.00 to come to the park to listen to Canadian only bands ( because they cannot afford to pay for US bands) who knows?
I heard that if there was a charge only 20,000 people would be able to come because the park would have to be fenced in and there is a limit of how many people could be there. I would rather have 20,000 people who were willing to pay rather than 40,000 people who want to come in and pay nothing and the taxpayers have to foot the bill.
Personally I think there needs to be no more funding for this festival. There needs to be a “time-out” ( perhaps a year or more) to decide what kind of music festival would pay for itself. Or indeed if perhaps the time for this type of festival is truly wanted by the majority of the public.
To ask the taxpayers of Burlington not only to fund them for the 2026 festival and to forgive the money that was loaned to them is more than any group should ask for.
How those delegating this morning could ask for this is mind boggling.
Bigger is not necessarily better.