First, thank you for your question. I am familiar with the Festival du Lac des Nations, among others.
For most members of FAME, and REMI in Quebec, security costs have literally exploded in the past decade. In the past, volunteers were often tasked with security. It was as simple as that. Now we are required by law to use security agencies, which are in turn paid according to a government decree. As a result, costs have literally exploded.
I would say on the whole that costs are at least five times higher than what they were five or seven years ago, based on my experience and the discussions I have had with event organizers. I am thinking for example of an event for which the security used to cost close to $20,000, but now costs $100,000. So it has increased fivefold.
It is also true that we work with cities and the police forces of those cities. They often make their resources available to us. On the sites themselves, however, it is up to the festival or the event to provide appropriate security.
Once again, I must point out that this budget item has literally exploded. We cannot neglect security, of course. It is the top priority, so I think this warrants government intervention.