{
  "id": 9192949,
  "title": "Ford government stalls paying Taste of the Danforth full $200K premier promised",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/ford-government-stalls-paying-taste-of-the-danforth-full-200k-premier",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-22T20:42:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Global News",
    "slug": "global-news",
    "url": "https://globalnews.ca/news/12069025/taste-danforth-payment-delays/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Months after Premier Doug Ford pledged to support the Taste of the Danforth with millions in provincial funding, the cash from Queen's Park has yet to arrive, leaving festival organizers grappling with unpaid bills. The popular street festival, which typically draws up to a million visitors to Toronto's Greektown, was forced to suspend operations three years ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the event has been struggling to regain its financial footing. Earlier this year, Ford announced plans to rescue the Taste of the Danforth with taxpayer money from Queen's Park and City Hall. \"I miss the Taste of the Danforth,\" Ford stated in a moment of off-the-cuff remarks in February. \"I will talk to our friend the boss there, Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, to see if we can put money into reviving the event.\" In June, the government followed through on its promise, offering $200,000 to the GreekTown on the Danforth Business Improvement Area, matching the amount pledged by the City of Toronto. \"The community was very pleased,\" said Peter Tabuns, the NDP MPP representing the area. The Business Improvement Area (BIA) received a funding agreement letter from the provincial government in April, providing organizers with the green light to plan, book guest performers, and hire security for the Aug. 7 festival. However, six weeks after serving souvlaki, the BIA is still waiting for the full funding amount from the province. \"The BIA has been telling me and the province, 'Look, we have vendors who haven't been paid. We need you to come forward with the money,'\" Tabuns explained. \"As of last week, the funds were still missing.\" Although the BIA declined a request for an interview with Global News, Tabuns said they haven't received a specific reason for the delay from the Ministry of Tourism. They only heard that the funding has been delayed due to \"several document issues.\" The Ministry of Tourism told Global News that the government has been working with organizers to resolve these issues and release the funds. \"So far, over 60% of the funding allocated for the Taste of the Danforth has been released by our government,\" the ministry stated in a statement. \"As with all public funding, there are strict guidelines in place to safeguard taxpayer money. The full funding will be disbursed only after the organization submits their final financial statements and audited reports.\" Tabuns noted that vendors have been increasingly raising concerns about the payment issue with the BIA, warning that the delay risks damaging trust between suppliers and organizers. \"Vendors are concerned because it's not the best economic climate,\" Tabuns pointed out. \"But for future events to succeed, vendors must be confident that they will receive payment. If you want a successful event next year, this year's vendors need to know that the money is coming in. It's not a risk they want to take.\" The government has not yet committed to funding the festival in 2027.",
  "summary": "The popular street festival, which typically attracts up to a million people to Toronto's Greektown, took a three-year hiatus in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.",
  "key_points": [
    "Premier Doug Ford promised $200K for Taste of the Danforth festival",
    "Funding from Queen's Park delayed due to document issues",
    "BIA warns vendors about payment concerns affecting future events"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Global News",
        "title": "Ford government stalls paying Taste of the Danforth full $200K premier promised",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/ford-government-stalls-paying-taste-of-the-danforth-full-200k-premier-9195185",
        "published": "2026-09-22T20:42:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}