Team Nova Scotia wins 2025 Celebration of Light fireworks show
Judges have declared Team Nova Scotia the winner of the 2025 Honda Celebration of Light fireworks competition,
The Maritime province, represented by Fireworks FX, also took the People's Choice Award in this year's event, which was the first all-Canadian showcase in its 35-year history.
In a news release, organizers said Team Nova Scotia's 'stunning, tightly choreographed performance' earned a score of 633 points, topping Team Yukon's 598 points and Team Quebec's 592 points.
'We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Fireworks FX team and Nova Scotia for their remarkable win,' said Paul Runnals, Celebration of Light executive producer, in a statement.
Meanwhile, the long-running competition – which has suffered from unpredictable funding over the years – is once again facing an uncertain future.
According to organizers, costs have increased more than 30 per cent since the COVID-19 pandemic, while government support has been shrinking.
Organizers said the B.C. government is expected to slash funding from $250,000 this year to $100,000 next year, and the federal government, which provided $250,000 last year through its PacifiCan economic development agency, has not made any further commitments so far.
'Given these challenges, we can't confirm whether the event will return in 2026,' said Runnals, who is calling for a 'sustainable and predictable funding model.'
'We're hopeful we can sit down with private and government partners soon to discuss what that support could look like.'
CTV News has reached out to B.C.'s Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport for comment on the event's funding trouble.
Police said there were no major safety incidents during this year's Celebration of Light, which was subject to heightened security following April's deadly Lapu-Lapu Day attack.
A 15-year-old boy was stabbed to death in downtown Vancouver on the night of the first fireworks show, though authorities have not made any connection between his killing and the event.
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