QUEBEC - The head of Quebec City's 400th birthday celebrations is stepping down, raising questions about the event's organization just as it is getting underway.
Pierre Boulanger announced today he is resigning as president of the organizing committee, though he will assume other tasks related to the event.
Boulanger will be replaced by Daniel Gelinas, who is in charge of Quebec City's summer festival.
The change comes only days after the city's birthday celebrations kicked off with an outdoor New Year's Eve show that drew some 50,000 people.
A number of high-profile events are planned this year to mark the anniversary, including a Celine Dion concert and a Cirque du Soleil show.
But Boulanger and the organizing committee has been criticized in recent months for failing to spark interest in the celebrations while also being accused of lacking transparency in the awarding of contracts.
