For second time in a row, Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) fair has been cancelled for 2021.
PNE said even a modified, lower capacity in-person PNE Fair will not be possible in 2021.
“Despite our planning for a number of scalable versions of the PNE Fair, it is now clear that the number of guests required to make an in-person Fair financially viable will not be allowed under anticipated Public Health Orders this summer,” says PNE spokesperson Laura Ballance.
As the largest employer of youth, the PNE is a vital first job employer for generations of British Columbians.
The PNE Fair is the largest ticketed event in BC, and generates 4300 direct jobs and 9500 direct and indirect job, ranging from critical low barrier entry level jobs to highly skilled trades
“Losing the second year of the PNE Fair is a massive loss of much needed employment for our members,” says CUPE 1004 President Andrew Ledger.
“We are deeply concerned about the thousands of CUPE members that depend on the Fair each summer to pay their way through school or to help support their families,” says Ledger.
PNE generates $200 million in economic impact into the region annually, and drives 185,000 tourism visits to the Lower Mainland annually
