The annual Hawkesbury Auto Expo is officially out of gas for 2025.
The classic car show, traditionally held downtown on Labour Day weekend for 28 years, has been cancelled by the Club d’Autos Hawkesbury Auto Club because of a lack of volunteers and high third-party insurance costs.
A letter sent to town council on June 18 and signed by the club executive indicates that the $3 million in third-party liability insurance coverage the club has in its insurance policy is insufficient if a claim was made against the club in relation to any incident or injury which may occur during the event. The letter also indicates that the club and its executive do not desire to be held personally liable for anything which may occur at the event.
The club executive has recommended that liability frameworks involving members of not-for-profit organizations be reevaluated, and that the Town of Hawkesbury assume the management and risks associated with events held on its territory to better encourage tourism.
According to a report presented to Hawkesbury council on Monday, June 23 by Recreation Coordinator Ken St-Denis, the Auto Expo has attracted about 5,000 people each year. The 39-member Hawkesbury Auto Club has had a new executive for a few months and was questioning the civil liability involved in organizing the show. Over the past four months, the Recreation and Tourism Department has worked closely with the club to find solutions.
A series of meetings were held, telephone calls, and emails were exchanged between the club and the municipal Department of Recreation and Tourism from February 25 until June 16. In May, town council approved granting the club $8,000 towards the 2025 Auto Expo. The club and town did discuss partnering for insurance purposes to present the show, and the club also investigated purchasing an insurance policy providing $10 million in third-party liability coverage. However, a meeting of the club’s general membership was held on June 17 and a majority of members decided to not hold the Auto Expo in 2025.
However, the club is continuing to host its weekly summer cruise nights each Wednesday evening in the parking lot at Asselin Your Independent Grocer on Highway 17.
Mayor Robert Lefebvre expressed regret that the car show is not happening this year, but hopes it returns.
“It is unfortunate, but I wish them good luck and we look to the future and we encourage the cruise nights on Wednesday evenings at Asselin’s store. We encourage them and we hope it comes back.”
Councillor Jeanne Charlebois noted the same guidelines organizations are required to follow for events also existed last year and the year before, and that nothing had changed this year. She also noted the town contributes financially each year to many organizations to help cover the costs of their events.
“It is important to mention this, and I wish them success with their cruise nights,” she said.
Councillor Tony Tsourounakis emphasized there were repeated efforts to save this year’s Auto Expo.
“It wasn’t one attempt; it was multiple attempts to save the event.”
Tsourounakis said he attended one of the meetings and followed the process closely.
“A lot of work and effort went into trying to find a solution.”
Councillor Julie Séguin thanked staff for their efforts and hoped the situation would change.
“It’s very unfortunate,” she remarked.
Lefebvre said the club is in a state of reorganization.
“It’s a new executive, and they have very little to work with,” he commented.
Lefebvre emphasized that the same rules apply to all organizations hosting public events in the Town of Hawkesbury. He also hoped there is continued discussion between the town and the auto club.
