The Surrey Board of Trade is criticizing the Times of India for not bringing any events during an upcoming film awards to the city.
The Times of India Film Awards will run next week in Vancouver.
Anita Huberman of the Surrey Board of Trade says her organization and the provincial government tried to bring an event to the city, but there was no commitment from the media organization.
“This is where the fan base is and really next week, when the awards take place, it will be mainly Surrey fans that will be there at these awards,” she said.
Huberman says she's shocked and disappointed because 30 per cent of the city's population is of South Asian origin.
But event organizers dispute the notion that Surrey was snubbed.
TOIFA spokeswoman Laura Ballance said the organization tried to find a practical venue in Surrey for the event, but due its sheer magnitude, nothing was big enough.
“This is a major event and I think it’s important for people to remember that this is on par with the People’s Choice Awards or another significant concert,” Ballance said. “The recent Oprah Winfrey show…That’s the type of ticket sales we’re looking at.”
Tens of thousands of people are expected to pack B.C. Place for the awards gala, organizers say.
Event festivities kick off April 4th.
With files from CTV British Columbia's Brent Shearer and The Canadian Press
