Economic Development, Culture & Tourism
July 7, 1998
To:All City of Toronto Community Councils
From:Joe Halstead, Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture & Tourism
Subject:The 2008 Toronto Olympic Bid - Public Consultation
PURPOSE
- Generally outline the public consultation process related to Toronto's bid to host the 2008 Olympics and
specifically set out the details of Phase I of the process.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
None arising from this report.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that this report be received for information.
COMMENTS
1. Public Consultation Overview
At its meeting on March 4, 5 and 6, 1998, City Council, in approving in principle the City
of Toronto bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games, passed a number of motions which relate
to the need to seek public consultation in the development of the bid. This report responds to
those motions and outlines a public consultation process which would inform the general
public interested in the bid, and would involve assistance from those with expertise in 6 key
areas related to the development of the bid. As well, the consultation with and assistance
from those who are directly impacted by the Olympic venues and legacies will be critical.
Central to preparing a bid to host the Olympics are:
(1)the development of a comprehensive and inclusive set of guiding principles of a bid
which is socially responsible; environmentally friendly; financially sound; and provides for
public participation; and ensures optimum legacies for the City; and
(2)the creation of a Bid Book which summarizes a unique vision for hosting the Games and
which would be used as the centrepiece for advancement of the bid internationally.
Developing the guiding Olympic Principles is an important first step which will inform the
development of the draft bid book. Both the Olympic Principles and the bid book would
remain as drafts throughout the process and would be revised as work proceeds. While City
Council will make the final decision on the content of the Olympic Principles, and provide
input into the bid book, it is proposed that these decisions be made following significant and
meaningful public consultation.
The overall goal of the public consultation process should have three objectives:
(1)Provide the public with an opportunity to express their views on what they want the
Olympics to do for the citizens of Toronto and our city;
(2)Provide the public with access to and opportunities to participate in the Olympic
planning;
(3)Provide the citizens of Toronto with a public consultation process that receives input,
incorporates new ideas, responds to concerns, educates the public, and builds support for the
bid.
It is proposed that three phases of public consultation should be undertaken, separate and
apart from what it is anticipated the IOC will require as part of its evaluation process.
First Phase
Broad launch of the consultation process and the development of Olympic Principles to
guide the preparation of the bid book. Consultation should be organized around the 6 key
areas of interest as expressed by the public and City Council:
Social Equity
Environment
Financial Impact (Costs and Benefits)
Transportation
Venues
Cultural Programming
The details of Phase I of the public consultation are outlined in Section 2 below.
Second Phase
Intensive public consultation while detailed studies are being undertaken by City staff and
TO-Bid. The second phase consultation process would be modeled on the success or
shortcomings of the first phase and could include general information meetings, local
constituency meetings, roundtable meetings, stakeholder meetings, issue-specific
workshops, presentations to community and business organizations, focus groups, surveys,
or questionnaires. This consultation would focus on the draft bid book preparation and
would take place between November, 1998 and the summer of 1999, using the Council
adopted Olympic Principles as a framework.
Third Phase
This phase of consultation would consolidate the work done over the previous year. This
consultation would involve stakeholders and the community. In this phase the details of the
bid would be finalized and the various objectives of the bid would be prioritized.
2. Phase I Public Consultation details -- The Launch of the Public Consultation Process
The first phase of public consultation begins in July, 1998 with this report. Phase I of the
consultation is designed to get public input into the 2008 Olympic Bid and Draft Olympic
Principles. It is important that information related to the public consultation process be
clearly disseminated to the public and the media so that those interested in hearing about the
Olympic Bid or voicing an opinion know when, where and how to participate.
The public consultation process for the first phase will be summarized in a brochure which
will be available on August 17, 1998. In addition to the information contained in this report,
the brochure will also set out the addresses for the civic centres, telephone numbers for the
Community Council Clerks, focus group addresses and contact telephone numbers, as well
as Open House locations and contact telephone numbers. Over the balance of the summer,
the brochure will be mailed out to all community groups, the TO-Bid mailing list, special
interest groups, including those set out in Appendix 1 and neighbourhood associations in the
waterfront. The published material will contain the full list of Phase I dates, times and
locations set out below. Newspaper ads, including those in local community newspapers,
will also be published.
Note that because of Council schedules, the dates set out below have changed from those
set out in the June 24, 1998 report to the June 30, 1998 Strategic Policies and Priorities
Committee.
2.1 Launch at Community CouncilsSeptember and October , 1998
At special evening meetings of the Community Councils in September and October, 1998,
the City of Toronto will invite citizens to attend meetings at their local Civic Centre across
Toronto to launch the public consultation process for the 2008 Olympic bid. Mr. David
Crombie will be making presentations to all six Community Councils. This will be an
opportunity for the public to indicate their area of interest or concern.
The full list of Community Council meetings is as follows:
LocationDateTime
East York Community CouncilSeptember 14, 19987:30 p.m.
York Community CouncilSeptember 15, 19987:30 p.m.
Scarborough Community CouncilSeptember 16, 19987:30 p.m.
Etobicoke Community CouncilSeptember 17, 19987:30 p.m.
North York Community CouncilOctober 21, 19987:30 p.m.
Toronto Community CouncilOctober 22, 19987:30 p.m.
2.2Focus Group Meetings November, 1998
City of Toronto staff, in consultation with TO-bid and COA staff will then set up a series of
focus group meetings to gather public input into six key areas of the Olympic Principles.
The major task of these focus groups will be to develop a series of guiding Olympic
Principles related to the 6 key areas, describing a "wish list" of legacies related to each area,
and determining priorities for the legacies.
The full list of focus group meetings is as follows:
TopicLocationDateTime
Social Equity Metro Reference Library Nov. 7, 199810:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m
EnvironmentYork Quay Centre --
Lakeside TerraceNov. 7, 199810:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m
VenuesExhibition Place --
Fountain Dining Room
Queen Elizabeth BuildingNov. 7, 199810:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Financial ImpactsNorth York Civic CentreNov. 14, 199810:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
TransportationMetro Hall -- 27th FloorNov. 14, 199810:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Cultural ProgrammingDesign ExchangeNov. 14, 199810:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Note that because of the intensive work involved in developing a series of Olympic
Principles that the meetings are scheduled for all day on two Saturdays.
2.3Open HousesDecember, 1998
City of Toronto staff, in consultation with TO-Bid and COA staff and the leaders of the
public focus groups will then prepare draft Olympic Principles to guide the development of
an Olympic bid and the staging of the Olympic Games. These will be subject of two open
houses where the public will be invited to comment on the draft Principles related to:
2008 Olympics and social equity issues
2008 Olympics and the environment
2008 Olympics -- the costs and financial returns
2008 Olympics and transportation
2008 Olympics -- the venue legacies
2008 Olympics and cultural legacies
The open houses will be held as follows:
LocationDateTime
Metro Reference LibraryWednesday, December 2, 19982:00 - 8:00 p.m
Metro Reference LibraryMonday, December 7, 19982:00 - 8:00p.m
Staff from the City, as well as representatives of TO-Bid and the COA will be on hand to
answer any questions.
2.4Survey/Feedback
Over the summer, City staff, in consultation with the TO-Bid and COA staff will work with
media partners to seek public opinion on various components of the bid. This could take the
form of one of the local newspapers or television station asking the public a question a week
related to the Olympics or could be a more formal survey.
2.5Draft Guiding PrinciplesEarly 1999
Staff will target a City Council meeting in early 1999 to report on the results of the public
consultation process, the draft Olympic Principles, and the next steps related
to Phases II and III of the public consultation.
2.6Other meetings
City staff are available starting immediately to discuss the Olympics with any group or
organization. Members of Council should contact the City Olympic Office at 392-2008 if
they wish staff to speak to community groups, residents associations, or other organizations.
Where appropriate, TO-Bid and COA representatives will be invited to assist in briefings
and information meetings as well.
- Communications Strategy
Corporate Communications staff, in consultation with the City Olympic Office, are
currently in the process of developing a comprehensive communications plan which
recommends a variety of communication tools to support the Phase I community
consultation process. The plan outlines a strategy that is designed to ensure that everyone
and anyone who is interested in hearing about -- or voicing an opinion about -- the bid will
know how, where and when to access the process. Council will be kept informed about the
communications strategy as part of regular reports to Council on the progress of the bid.
- City Olympic Office
Further to the discussion at the March 4, 5 and 6, 1998 Council regarding staffing related to
the Olympic Bid, a multi-disciplenary team is being brought together, representing a variety
of interests as well as representative of the former municipalities, to respond to the Council
motions, brief members of Council on a regular basis, prepare reports to Council, respond to
public enquiries, and begin the public consultation process related to the submission of the
bid to the IOC. The City Olympic Office staff work program is detailed in the report to the
June 30, 1998 Strategic Priorities and Policies Committee and is included as Appendix 2.
The City Olympic Office has now been set up on the 22nd Floor of Metro Hall:
Telephone:392-2008
Fax392-3821
E-mail:Olympbid@city.toronto.on.ca
Web sitewww.city.toronto.on.ca/olympics (launch: August 17, 1998)
A memo has been sent to the Mayor, members of Council, the CAO's office, and all the
Commissioners offering the services of the City Olympic Office to respond to
correspondence and enquiries on the Olympic bid that come to the City.
CONTACT NAME
Joe Halstead, Commissioner
Economic Development, Culture & Tourism
Telephone:(416) 395-6188
Fax(416) 395-0388
_________________________
Joe Halstead
Commissioner
Appendix 1: Group Lists
Staff have attempted to put together a list of groups which relate to the 6 key areas of the
Olympic Principles. The list is by no means exhaustive and representatives from any group
not currently on the list should contact the City's Olympic bid office or TO-bid
representatives. It should also be that internal groups will be asked to vet the preliminary list
of external contacts for comprehensiveness.
1.Social Equity
Joint Citizens Committee on People with Disabilities
Healthy Cities Office
Social Planning Council
Community Service Agencies (neighbourhood centres, daycares, immigrant and settlement
centres)
Agencies serving children and youth
Social Justice Network
Child Advocate
Task Force on Community Access
Association of Neighbourhood Centres
Boys and Girls Clubs
Association for Community Living
Hugh McMillan Centre
March of Dimes
CNIB
Public and Separate School Boards
Bread Not Circuses Coalition
Transportation Action Now
Housing
The Metro Toronto Housing Company Limited
City Housing
CityHome
Homes First
Fair Rental Policy Organization of Ontario
Federation of Metro Tenants Associations
Ontario Non Profit Housing Association
Cooperative Housing Federation of Toronto
University professors (eg.Planning, School of Social Work)
Housing Producers
Advisory Committee On the Homeless
Strategy Committee for People Without Homes
Toronto housing design and construction community (architects, urban designers, Toronto
Home builders association)
2.Environment
Task Force to Bring Back The Don
Toronto Bay Initiative
South Riverdale Environmental Health Liaison Committee
Friends of the Spit
Citizens for a Safe Environment
Toronto Environmental Alliance
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Don Watershed Regeneration Council
Metropolitan Waterfront Coalition
University Faculty (eg. Environmental Studies programmes)
Ontario Hydro
Toronto District Heating Corporation
Green Peace
Pollution Probe
Green Tourism
ICLEI
Energy Efficiency Office of Toronto
Canadian Urban Institute
Howland House
Ecology House
3.Financial (Costs and Benefits)
The Board of Trade
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
Toronto Construction Association
Canadian Federation of Independent Business
Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnership
Metro Toronto Convention & Visitor Association
Tourism Ontario
CD Howe Institute
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Toronto
Scarborough Chamber of Commerce
North York Chamber of Commerce
Etobicoke Chamber of Commerce
Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas
Scarborough/North York/York Chinese Association
Toronto Real Estate Board
Canadian Italian Business and Professional Association of Toronto
Urban Development Institute
4.Transportation
City Cycling Committee
Task Force On The Gardiner Lakeshore Corridor
TCCA
Centre for Sustainable Transportation
Streetcars for Toronto
Greater Toronto Airports Authority
Ontario Motor Coach Association
Ontario Ministry Of Transportation
Transportation 2000
The Green Transportation Coalition
Canadian Urban Institute
Bikes not Cars
Canadian Urban Transit Association
Pollution Probe
Waterfront Regeneration Trust
ICLEI
Transportation Action Now
This group will be augmented by meetings with transportation operators.
5.Venues
Exhibition Place
Ontario Place
Groups to be consulted regarding venues will include community-based recreation groups,
community centre boards throughout the city as well as provincial and national sports
federations and organizations.
6.Cultural Programming
Toronto Arts Council
Public Art Commission and various Municipal Public Art Advisory committees
Arts Foundation of Greater Toronto
Ontario Association of Landscape Architects
Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Culture
Toronto Society of Architects
Toronto Theatre Alliance
Visual Arts Ontario
Harbourfront Centre
Toronto Theatre Alliance
Ontario Film Development Corporation
Arts Etobicoke
Scarborough Arts Council
Exhibition Place
Ontario Place
Major producing/presenting organizations and festivals (Toronto Symphony, Canadian
Opera Company, National Ballet, Canadian Stage Co., Downtown Jazz Festival, Caribbean
Cultural Committee)
Commercial producers (Livent, Mirvish)
Major institutions (AGO, ROM)
Major venue operators (Hummingbird, Ford, St. Lawrence, RTH/Massey Hall Corp., Glen
Gould Studios)
Experienced festival producers
City LACAC's (including Heritage Toronto)
Architectural Conservancy of Toronto
Town of York Historical Society (and other historical societies with an interest in the
Olympic sites)
Friends of Fort York
University of Toronto Faculty of Architecture
Community Heritage Project
In addition to the list above organized around specific issues staff has developed a list of
over 40 resident and community Groups, BIA's, issue-specific committees (Friends of the
Fort, Friends of the Spit), and coalitions of groups south of Queen Street in the Waterfront
which would be consulted as part of the Olympic Bid process. The City will also consult
with ethno-cultural and ethno-racial organizations.
Appendix 2: Olympic Bid Staff Work Program
1.MAJOR TASKS
| |
TASK/REPORT |
DESCRIPTION |
DUE DATE / PROGRESS |
| 1. |
Quarterly progress reports to
Council |
Regular progress reports to Council on:
·status of the competition from other cities
· responding to the concerns of Council
·status of public consultation |
October 1, 1998
November 25, 1998
March 1999
June 1999
September 1999 |
| 2. |
Public participation |
Extensive public consultation process required to:
a) develop Olympic principles
b) provide input into the bid book |
ongoing - commencing July
1998, with first phase (Olympic
Principles) concluding in
November |
| 3. |
Olympic Guiding Principles |
Framework for Olympic bid book submission |
November 1998 |
| 4. |
Council endorsement of bid |
Document to be submitted to IOC outlining Toronto's bid to
host the Olympics |
November 1999 |
2.RESPONSE TO COUNCIL MOTIONS
| |
TASK/REPORT |
DESCRIPTION |
DUE DATE / PROGRESS |
| 1. |
Quarterly reports |
Report to Council |
October 1, 1998
November 25, 1998 |
| 2. |
Tripartite Agreement |
City, TO-bid & COA to define staff, the relationship, roles
and responsibilities of each in bidding for the Games |
Addressed in agreement before
Council on July 8, 1998 |
| 3. |
Financial Strategy |
TO-bid develop report which does not impact on the tax rate
and this strategy be made available for public consultation |
A further report forthcoming
October 1, 1998 Council
The Bid City Agreement
provides for a number of
mechanisms for financial
accountability. |
| City & TO-bid enter into discussions on the development of
a suitable financial mechanism between them and provide
Council with accountability options to ensure protection for
taxpayers and the City |
| 4. |
Olympic Principles |
City, TO-bid and COA develop Olympic Principles to
update Olympic Commitment and be subject of broad
consultation |
Develop guiding Olympic
Principles in 1998 through public
consultation process |
| 5. |
Transportation |
TO-bid enter into discussions with TTC on ways and means
of increasing public transit during the Games and minimizing
vehicular traffic. Discussions to be extended to include
Gardiner Lakeshore Task Force to achieve a transportation
plan to support on the Olympic requirements |
Report to November 25, 1998
Council meeting
Report to be informed by public
consultation process commencing
in July, 1998 as well as the
meetings with transportation
operators scheduled to begin in
July. |
| 6. |
Housing & Construction |
TO-bid work with all stakeholders in the housing and
construction industry to develop options to ensure that the
opportunities for long term affordable housing are
maximized from the accommodation to be built for the
Games. That particular attention to be paid to ensure that all
accommodation is constructed to the highest environmental
standards possible |
Report to the October 1, 1998
Council
|
| 7. |
Social Impact Assessment |
TO-bid work with social planning agencies and City staff to
determine the best method to develop a full social impact
assessment process for the Games |
Report to the October 1, 1998
Council
Initial discussions on this issue
have been held with the Social
Planning Council. |
| 8. |
Homeless/Tenant Strategy |
In consultation with Toronto Advisory Committee on
Homeless and Isolated Persons, report on issues and
mechanisms to ensure the Games do not negatively impact
on the homeless, isolated persons and tenants |
Report to the October 1, 1998
Council
Report to be informed by public
consultation process commencing
in July 1998. Initial meeting held
with Task Force on the Homeless
on May 8, 1998.
A discussion paper on Olympic
accommodations and housing
has been prepared by BIDCO
staff. |
| 9. |
Social Investment Fund |
TO-bid work with social planning agencies to consider the
opportunity and viability of establishing a social investment
fund from the Games -- to be provided within the context of a
financially responsible Games |
Report to the October 1, 1998
Council
|
3.RESPONSE TO MOTIONS REFERRED TO CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
(CAO)
| |
TASK/REPORT |
DESCRIPTION |
DUE DATE / PROGRESS |
| 1. |
Referral to CAO with request
for report
(Bernardinetti) |
that all motions submitted by Members of Council in regard
to the Olympic Bid with the exception of Motion (2) by
Councillor Pantalone, and Motion (5) by Councillor Bussin,
be referred to the CAO with a request that the concerns raised
therein be addressed in future reports in the regard |
To be set out in Quarterly
reports, commencing October 1,
1998
|
| 2. |
Lake Shore light rail
(Bussin) |
that the following motion be referred to the TTC for
consideration and report thereon to SP & P "that a light rail
system along the Lake Shore East Transportation Corridor be
included in the infrastructure planning and budget for the
2008 Olympic bid for consideration and approval by City
Council |
Component of report to
November 25, 1998 Council
To be discussed at meetings with
transportation operators
commencing in July 1998. |
| 3. |
Board of Trade liaison
(Davis) |
that the CAO be requested to investigate with the Board of
Trade the issue of the City's participation in Toronto 2000 as
a means of showcasing the City of Toronto as part of the
Olympic bid process |
Component of report to October
1, 1998 Council
Initial meeting already held with
4 subcommittees of Board of
Trade on May 6, 1998. |
| 4. |
Access for people with
disabilities
(Johnston) |
that the CAO be requested to submit a report providing more
detail on improvements which will be made to present
facilities for persons with disabilities, such report to be
prepared in conjunction with organizers of the Paralympics
which would follow the Games |
Component of report to October
1, 1998 Council
Meetings to discuss these issues
with stakeholders held June 25,
1998. |
| 5. |
Financial due diligence
(Layton) |
that TO-bid be requested to include in its due diligence
process, an arms-length financial check for each stage of the
process to obtain the 2008 Olympics |
Component of report to October
1, 1998 Council |
| 6. |
Guarantees from other levels
of government and private
sector
(Miller) |
that City Council's final support of the Olympic bid be
contingent, in part, upon the provision of satisfactory
guarantees by other levels of government, the private sector
or otherwise, for the City's liability under Section 40 of the
Olympic Charter |
To be set out in quarterly
reports, starting October 1, 1998
The Bid City Legal Agreement
sets out provisions about
provincial and federal
government support. |
| 7. |
Rent Control |
that the 1992 Rent Control Act, Landlord and Tenant Act,
and the Rental Housing Protection Act, be reinstated at least
for the City of Toronto and preferably for the whole Province
until at least the year 2010 |
To be set out in quarterly
reports, starting October 1, 1998
|
| Privatization of Social
Housing |
that the Federal and Provincial governments suspend all
privatization of co-operative apartments and units and other
forms of social housing withing the GTA until at least 2010 |
| Unit market assessment
|
that, given the potential for extreme instability in assessment
because of redevelopment related to the Olympic Games,
Provincial legislation confer upon the City of Toronto a
system of Unit Assessment (U.A.) To remain in effect until at
least the year 2010. |
N.B.Council motions had referred to BIDCO, however, with the creation of the new
corporation, the actions will be carried out by TO-Bid staff and therefore referred to as
TO-Bid in this work plan and hereafter.
As noted in several instances throughout this work program, meetings with interested
parties, agencies, and organizations have already begun. A full outline of meetings held to
date will be set out in the October 1, 1998 report to Council.
