September 1, 1998

To:All City of Toronto Community Councils

From:Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

Subject:Toronto's Bid for the 2008 Olympics

PURPOSE:

This report accompanies a presentation by Mr. David Crombie of Toronto's bid for the 2008 Olympics which is part of the public consultation to develop the draft Olympic Principles.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:

There are no financial implications arising from the recommendations of this report.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

It is recommended that the Community Council:

1.receive the presentation Mr. David Crombie regarding Toronto's bid for the 2008 Olympics; and

2.refer any Community Council recommendations on this issue to staff for a consolidated report, with the recommendations from the other Community Councils, to Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee on November 17, 1998 and City Council on November 25, 1998.

BACKGROUND

At its meeting on March 4,5, and 6, 1998 City Council approved in principle the City of Toronto bid for the 2008 Olympics and directed staff to consult with the public as part of the preparation of the bid. On July 22, 1998 the public consultation was launched with a report (dated July 7, 1998) to the six Community Councils dated July 7, 1998 from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Tourism, and Culture. The report outlined the public consultation to be conducted by the City Olympic Office. Phase 1 of the consultation is to develop the draft Olympic Principles to guide the preparation of the bid. In mid-August brochures inviting the public to join in and participate in the preparation of the bid were mailed to over 3000 community, cultural, sport, recreation, social equity, and advocacy organizations inviting them to Community Council meetings to learn more about the bid and to express their interests, concerns and issues.

DISCUSSION

Mr. David Crombie is the Chair of the Board of Directors of TO-Bid Corporation. TO-Bid had its inaugural meeting on September 1, 1998, and is starting the preparation of the bid for the 2008 Olympics. Mr. Crombie will present an overview of the bid preparation at the six Community Council meetings.

The comments heard from the public at these Community Council meetings will be considered by focus groups to be held on November 7 and 14, 1998. These focus groups will address 6 key areas of interest: social equity, environment, venues, transportation, culture, and financial implications, and will develop the draft Olympic Principles. In December, the draft Olympic Principles will be presented to the public at two open houses on Wednesday December 2, 1998 and Monday December 7, 1998 at the Metro Reference Library. The draft Olympic Principles will be presented to Council in early 1999 for their consideration.

A report to update Council on the status of the bid preparation and the public consultation will be submitted to Strategic Policy and Priorities Committee on November 17, 1998 and City Council on November 25, 1998. It is recommended that any recommendations to Council from this Community Council meeting, be directed to staff for consideration with recommendations from the other Community Council meetings and consolidated in the report to the November 25, 1998 Council meeting. This will permit staff time to analyse the comments from the public and the recommendations of the Community Council and to report on all six Community Council meetings in a consolidated report to Council rather than incrementally as they occur.

CONTACT NAME

Joe Halstead, Commissioner

Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

Telephone: (416)395- 6188

Fax:(416)395-0388

Joe Halstead

Commissioner