New Westminster may change a longstanding tradition that's become the "white elephant" in the room with May Day.
Coun. Chuck Puchmayr believes the city needs to modernize the lancers dance that's part of the annual May Day banquet. Members of the Royal Lancers dance with girls in the May Queen suite at the event.
"There is a very significant concern from some parents in the community," Puchmayr said.
New Westminster city council has approved a motion for the city to enter into discussions with the school district and the Royal Lancers about modernizing the event.
Puchmayr said he raised the issue after community members approached him about their discomfort with the dance between young girls and older men. He said his motion wasn't meant to show any disrespect to the tradition or to the people involved, only to reflect changing attitudes and some parents' concern with the dance.
While there is "nothing untoward" about the dance, Puchmayr said parents are more cautious nowadays. He noted that May Day has undergone changes in the past, such as the introduction of Royal Knights so boys could be included in the May Day festivities.
"There have been other events we have modernized. Black Peter is one of them," he said. "We have modernized because there were concerns in the community."
Although Puchmayr feels "it's time" to modernize the Royal Lancers role in May Day, he believes they still have a role to play in May Day.
Coun. Betty McIntosh said the Royal Lancers should be involved in the discussions with the city and the school district. They weren't included in Puchmayr's original notice of motion.
McIntosh said she spoke to some of the Royal Lancers after Puchmayr raised the issue in July and found they were taken aback about the idea there was anything improper connected to the dance.
Puchmayr stressed that his motion had nothing to do with any problems with the dance - only with the comfort level of community members.
Coun. Lorrie Williams believes the lancers have a role to play in May Day, suggesting they could be the "guardians" of boys and girls in the May Day suite. She'd prefer to see the young boys dance with the young girls at the May Day dinner.
"I think that would be a very nice change," she said.
David MacGrotty, chair of the lancers, told The Record in 2010 that the members enjoy their role around the May Day event.
"We fully understand that the traditional dances we participate in are a very important part of May Day, however, the evening is really about the May Queen suite," he said at the time. "The Royal Lancers are all very honoured, fortunate and pleased to be part of such an important historical event."
