As communities prepare to mark Canada Day, some people took to social media earlier this week to say they're disappointed Saint Lazare will not hold any festivities to mark the occasion on July 1. 

Others complained the town not only isn't celebrating Canada Day, it also cancelled this year's Fête Nationale festivities a week earlier.

"The whole point of celebrating Saint-Jean and Canada Day is not to compete with other towns, but to create a sense of community in our own town and not obliging people to go to nearby towns for festivals on two very important days," one person wrote. 

"I don’t agree with this choice to hold no celebrations as it is counter to building a community for our children. Creating a new 'festival day' takes away from celebrating the traditions within our community. So regardless of the budget they both should still have been held," they added.

The town stated budgetary considerations and declining attendance in recent years were the reasons both celebrations were cancelled. Instead, a new celebration will be held in mid August that will bring residents together.

"We fully understand the attachment to these events and we're listening to the comments, but the focus right now is on this year's festivities on the August 19 weekend. We're really looking forward to July 6 when we announce details of the event," said Mayor Geneviève Lachance.

No details about the new event have yet been revealed, but the town will make the official announcement next week.

"It seemed clear to us, in accordance with the results of the consultation, that the citizens of Saint-Lazare want a different event, one that reflects who they are and that would contribute to the development of their city," said Marc Tremblay, Director of Recreation and Community Life.

"This change represents an opportunity to make better use of public funds and to give the city a festival with a strong local identity,” Tremblay added.