The 2008 Toronto Olympic Bid - October Update Report
The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee submits, for the information of Council,
the following report (September 2, 1998) from the Commissioner of Economic
Development, Culture and Tourism and reports having received same:
Purpose:
(1)To update Council on Toronto's bid to host the 2008 Olympics.
(2)To begin to respond to the various Council motions of March and July, 1998 when the
Olympic bid was previously considered by Council.
Financial Implications:
None arising from this report.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that this report be received for information.
Comments:
This report is the first in a series of regular update reports to Council on Toronto's bid to host
the 2008 Olympics. Appendix 1 provides an overview of the first phase of the public
consultation process now underway. Appendix 2 outlines the responses to date to Council
motions of March and July, 1998. Finally, Appendix 3 describes the results of the inaugural
September 1, 1998 meeting of the TO-Bid Board. A report on additional names proposed to
be added to the TO-Bid Board and the Committee structure and membership is expected to be
available at the October 1, 1998 Council meeting for Council's endorsement.
Contact Name:
Joe Halstead, Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture & Tourism,
Telephone:(416) 392-6188;Fax:(416) 395-0388
--------
Appendix 1
Public Consultation Overview
Staff were asked to initiate a public consultation process as a result of motions passed at the
March 4, 5 and 6, 1998 City Council, in its approval in principle of the City of Toronto bid to
host the 2008 Olympic Games. The first phase of the consultation is now underway.
Following the adoption of the July 7, 1998 report to the July 22, 1998 Community Councils,
during the week of August 17th, over 3000 brochures were sent out to a variety of community
groups and organizations, inviting them to participate in the consultation process. The list of
organizations is extensive and includes:
285 - Media283 - Local Sports/Recreation Groups
368 - Cultural Groups
279 - Community Centres, Recreation Centres and Libraries
668 - Community Associations and Ratepayer groups
56 - BIA's
742 - Housing and Poverty Advocates
36 - Labour organizations
Councillors were canvassed for their assistance in providing names of organizations and
several Councillors gave names to staff for brochure distribution.
Posters, inviting participation, were provided to all community centres, recreation centres and
libraries throughout the City.
Information kits were prepared for members of Council, Commissioners, and Level 3
Directors which included copies of the information brochure, posters, and other background
information. This same information was also sent to the new TO-Bid Board members.
Special Community Council meetings have been set up for September and October, 1998 and
planning is underway for the focus groups in November and open houses in December, all as
set out in the July 7, 1998 report to the Community Councils.
Advertisements were placed in over 20 newspapers, including 2 Toronto dailies, as well as a
broad selection of ethnic and local newspapers. This was augmented by a press release and
public service announcements sent out to over 200 media contacts.
Staff from the City Olympic Office have begun to respond to the telephone calls coming into
the office. A special voice messaging system has been set up to respond to calls from the
public.
Finally, the City's Website now includes information related to Toronto's bid.
--------
Appendix 2
Response to Council motions of March and July, 1998
For ease of reference, the Council motions of March and July, 1998 have been categorized
into broad issue-related categories as set out in the following sections. These categories are
also being used as the basis for the focus groups and the development of the guiding Olympic
principles.
2.1Social Equity:
Housing and Construction Consultation on Olympics Accommodation:
Council directed TO-Bid to 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 and that particular attention
be paid to ensure that all accommodation is constructed to the highest environmental
standards possible.
Since April, 1998, TO-Bid staff have continued to meet and consult with many groups and
individuals interested in the accommodation that would need to be built for the Olympic
Games.
Initial discussions have focused on four specific approaches: building the housing in time for
the Olympics; building the housing in advance of the Games; building the housing even if the
Olympic bid is not successful; and working to support and develop housing pilot projects
prior to the Olympics.
Detailed work will continue on the feasibility of all of these options throughout the remainder
of 1998 and beyond. The initial focus of this work is to identify and consider the issues to be
addressed in constructing the housing prior to the Olympics.
Consultations have also begun with environmental groups. There is a high degree of interest
in developing the Olympic housing using the most up-to-date and environmentally friendly
technologies and approaches.
Many of the groups consulted see the construction of new housing and opportunities for
affordable housing as being a significant legacy of both the bid and the Olympic Games.
The work on the Olympic Village and housing options is being undertaken by the Olympic
Village and Waterfront Committee of the TO-Bid Board, and supported by a group of experts
in the field of housing planning and construction.
Affordable Housing Strategy:
Staff were asked to report, in consultation with the Advisory Committee on Homeless and
Socially Isolated Persons, on issues and mechanisms to ensure the Games do not negatively
impact on the homeless, isolated persons and tenants. Council also asked for a report, to be
submitted to the Economic Development Committee this fall, on a by-law and proposed
strategy to ensure full protection for tenants and homeless persons during the hosting of the
Olympic Games, particularly in the areas adjacent to potential facilities such as South
Parkdale.
To facilitate discussion, the TO-Bid staff prepared a paper identifying the primary
accommodation and housing challenges of the Olympic Bid. The paper identifies four areas of
concern, and potential strategies to deal with them, as follows:
(i)Dealing with Toronto's shortage of affordable housing - The development of Olympic
accommodation is seen to be an opportunity to create a legacy of permanent affordable
housing in the city. Strategies to achieve this include involving federal and provincial
governments in housing initiatives, exploring innovative financing schemes such as
cross-subsidization. Options include trying to create the necessary housing prior to the Games.
(ii)Tenants could be displaced from their homes through upgrading and economic eviction,
conversions of buildings, and demolitions. Some strategies identified include "early warning"
monitoring of the rental housing market, strengthening of tenant protections prior to, during
and after the games, and special support for vulnerable tenants to avoid evictions.
(iii)Homelessness could increase as a result of displacement from vulnerable housing such as
rooming houses, boarding houses, hotels and motels; the rights of street people need to be
protected - Shelter and services available to homeless persons should be enhanced, and
measures should be put in place to reduce the risk of displacement from hotels, motels,
rooming and boarding homes. Specific security guidelines should be put in place to avoid
harassment of homeless persons or "street sweeps".
(iv)Avoiding negative impacts on residential neighbourhoods adjacent to Olympic venues -
Strategies could include Neighbourhood Olympic Plans, developed in consultation with
affected communities, housing and commercial rehabilitation programs and the establishment
of strict controls on development in affected neighbourhoods. Each Olympic facility will need
a plan to minimize its local impact.
The paper was presented to the Advisory Committee on Homeless and Socially Isolated
Persons and they requested that a meeting of interested individuals and groups be convened to
discuss in more detail the previous Olympic experience in dealing with these issues. A
meeting is now being arranged for late 1998 or early 1999. At Council's request, a
preliminary report on a proposed strategy to protect tenants and homeless persons during the
Olympics will be presented to the Economic Development Committee in the Fall. The City
Solicitor will be providing input in terms of legislation (e.g. by-laws) to support the strategy.
Reinstating Rent Control:
The CAO was asked to report on the motion that the 1992 Rent Control Act, Landlord and
Tenant Act, and the Rental Housing Protection Act, be re-instated for the City of Toronto and
preferably for the whole Province until at least the year 2010.
A 1994 Olympics and Housing report from Sydney, Australia, reviewed the impact of hosting
"hallmark events" (such as Olympics) for six international cities. In summarizing the housing
impacts, the report found that there was significant pressure on the private market to increase
rents and convert rental units to other uses (notably shorter term tourist type
accommodations). It will be critical that Toronto learns from these experiences and legislative
measures be put in place to reduce these impacts.
There are limited tools available under the current provincial legislative regime. The Tenant
Protection Act, 1997 (TPA), which came into force June 1998, replaced both the Landlord
and Tenant Act (LTA), and the Rent Control Act (RCA). In addition, the Rental Housing
Protection Act (RHPA) was repealed.
a)Rent Control:
The Tenant Protection Act, 1997, (TPA) permits landlords to set a new rent when a new tenant
moves into the unit (called vacancy decontrol), regardless of the prior rent history of that unit.
Previous rent control legislation set a limit on the maximum rent that could be charged for a
unit; and this limit applied whether or not there was a new tenant, and regardless of when the
unit was first occupied as a rental property. In addition to vacancy decontrol, the new Act
exempts new rental units (first rented after June 1998) from rent setting rules, such as having
rent increases limited to the annual rent control guideline. The TPA also includes mechanisms
for making the eviction process faster than was previously possible under the replaced LTA
such as making the notice periods shorter.
Because the TPA has only been in effect since June 1998, we do not yet know its impact on
the rental market. We do know that based on experience in other cities, that the Olympics will
create pressure for increased evictions and increased rents. Unless other controls are put in
place by 2008, under the TPA landlords would have the means to substantially increase rents
for sitting tenants occupying units which came onto the market during the prior ten years, and
incentive to evict sitting tenants of older units so that rents could be increased.
However, reinstating the Rent Control Act or the Landlord and Tenant Act in 2008, in their
entirety, may not be practical or appropriate. Now that the TPA is in force, substantial
changes have been made. For example, landlord and tenant issues are now addressed through
the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal, not the courts, and the Rent Registry system, which
maintained maximum rent levels for all units in Ontario, is no longer operating.
In addition, even if these Acts were reinstated, they still may not provide a high enough level
of protection. The Olympics and Housing study made note of stronger mitigation measures
such as requiring a six month notice of eviction or rent increase, staying the eviction for 90 to
150 days after the order is granted, and putting some limit on the size of allowable rent
increases; although none of these measures were actually introduced.
It is clear that some type of regulatory intervention will be required to protect tenants, if and
when Toronto wins the Olympic bid. It is proposed that the overall strategy on housing and
homelessness for the 2008 Olympic bid include recommendations for regulatory intervention.
b) Rental Housing Protection:
The Rental Housing Protection Act (RHPA) provided municipalities with significant authority
to restrict the loss of rental housing. The RHPA had permitted municipalities to make
decisions about applications to convert rental properties to condominium, equity co-operative,
commercial or other uses, demolition of rental housing, renovation/repair of rental housing
which would require vacant possession, and severance of rental properties. With proclamation
of the TPA, applications by the landlord to convert, demolish, renovate or sever rental
property are no longer required.
Municipalities do have some powers available to them under the Planning Act, or related
legislation; notably the ability to implement official plan policies relating to conversion to
condominium and demolition control powers. However, there does not appear to be any clear
authority (outside of zoning or property standards by-laws), for the City to restrict
renovations/repairs, severances or conversion of rental properties to other uses, such as
commercial. At this time, the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development is preparing
a report on Official Plan policies related to the conversion and demolition of rental housing,
for consideration by City Council this fall.
Since the RHPA was primarily administered by the municipality, there should be no
impediment to introducing similar legislation for the Toronto area for 2008, should we win
the bid and the Province agree to the measure. However, Council may want to recommend
even stronger measures. For example, the RHPA did not apply to complexes with less than
five units, and since boarding homes and rooming houses are especially at risk of conversion
to tourist hotels according to the Olympics and Housing study, it may be appropriate to
remove this exemption.
It is clear that some type of regulatory intervention will be required to protect rental stock,
particularly lower cost units, should Toronto win the 2008 Olympic bid. Such intervention
would require enabling legislation from the Province. It is proposed that the overall strategy
on housing and homelessness for the 2008 Olympics include recommendations for regulatory
intervention.
Privatization of Social Housing:
The CAO was asked to report on the motion that the Federal and Provincial governments
suspend all privatization of co-operative apartments and units and other forms of social
housing within the GTA until at least the year 2010.
Toronto has a significant supply of affordable social housing, which includes non-profits as
well as co-operatives. Should Toronto win the bid, pressure on existing affordable housing
will increase, and this stock should be protected. Under current policies, with the possible
exception of a few scattered units, ownership of social housing is not being privatized. With
the devolution of social housing, municipalities could be managing these programs and in a
position to formulate their own policies on privatization within the next 1-2 years.
Currently the Province is working on reforms to the way the social housing programs are
administered, and eventually administration will be passed on to the City. The Provincial
Social Housing Committee is expected to release its draft recommendations for reform
shortly, for consultation with all interested parties prior to implementation by the Minster in
the Fall. The discussions to date suggest that with the transfer of administration, the City will
be able to formulate its own policies about privatization.
Until that time, the sale of scattered units by the Metro Toronto Housing Authority (MTHA)
will be rare under a new policy adopted by the Ontario Housing Corporation. This policy
prohibits sale of units (except in extreme situations supported by a business case) until the
turn-over rate is equal to or less than the waiting-list number for that type of unit. For
example, if there were 1,000 three-bedroom units and the turn-over rate were 10 percent, sale
of three bedroom units would be restricted unless the number of families on the waiting list
for those units was 100 or less. There is no provincial or federal policy in place for sale of
social housing units. Where a housing provider has failed to comply with the operating
agreement, there is an option to sell the property privately as a last resort; however the
likelihood of sale is rare and, when it has occurred, the assets have instead been transferred to
another social housing provider.
It appears that further loss of social housing units will be limited in the near future as a result
of OHC's recent policy change, and existing social housing policies. Eventually, and
hopefully by the time the bid results are known, the City will have control over whether social
housing stock can be privatized. It is proposed that the overall strategy on housing and
homelessness for the 2008 Olympics include recommendations about municipal policies to
protect social housing stock, in conjunction with the GTA regional municipalities
Unit Market Assessment:
The CAO was asked to report on Councillor Walker's motion regarding Unit Assessment
(U.A.) given the potential for extreme instability in assessment because of redevelopment
related to the Olympic Games.
At its meeting on July 23, 1998, City Council adopted a current value assessment
implementation plan, which locks in commercial and industrial assessments for three years.
During those three years, commercial and industrial tax increases will be capped at 2.5 percent
per year and no tax increases will occur because of speculative increases in land values.
Council also adopted a staff recommendation that comprehensive tax policies be developed
before the return of 1999 current values of taxation in 2001.
In the future, Council could direct staff to review nonmarket value alternatives to current
value assessment such as unit assessment. This review could be incorporated in the three year
work plan leading up to the next reassessment cycle in 2001. However, it should be noted that
substantial resources would be required to undertake such a review and it is not anticipated
that Provincial assistance would be forthcoming.
Social Impact Assessment Process and Consideration of a Social Investment Fund:
TO-Bid staff were directed by Council to work with social planning agencies and City staff to
determine the best method of developing a full social impact assessment process for the
Games and that it be prepared within the next six months. In addition, TO-Bid staff were
directed to 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.
TO-Bid staff have undertaken a number of steps to respond to Council's directions on these
two issues.
To facilitate the discussions, TO-Bid staff have conducted a preliminary literature review on
social impact assessments and developed a list of issues to be considered. Discussions have
also been held with the author of the 1990 "Stage One Social Impact Assessment" conducted
during Toronto's previous bid for the 1996 Olympics.
An initial meeting between TO-Bid, the City of Toronto Social Development and
Administration Division, and the Community and Social Planning Council of Toronto was
held on August 31, 1998, to discuss the social impact assessment process and the social
development fund. At this meeting participants discussed the need for the social impact
process to engage the community in identifying both positive and negative social impacts of
the Olympics as well as the opportunity to develop concrete strategies to mitigate negative
impacts and find ways to distribute the social and economic benefits to all members of the
community.
Further details concerning the work to be undertaken on the social impact assessment and the
social investment fund will be provided in the next update report.
2.2Financial Impacts:
At its meetings in March and July, 1998, City Council directed staff to respond to a number of
motions relating to, among other things, financial matters. Specifically, Council directed staff
and TO-Bid to develop financial strategies that ensure the City is shielded from financial
liability in both the Bid process itself and in staging the Games in the event that the City's bid
is successful.
The purpose of this section is to inform Council of the work undertaken to date and workplan
presently underway to meet the foregoing objectives.
Bid Stage:
The City has entered into a tri-party agreement ("Bid City Agreement") with the Canadian
Olympic Association (COA) and the Bid corporation (TO-Bid). That agreement sets out the
relationship of the three parties, their respective roles and responsibilities relating to the bid
and addresses transitional matters that will follow if the City is awarded the Games.
The agreement also contains a number of provisions that control and in some instances restrict
the financial operations of TO-Bid. These provisions effectively reduce to the greatest extent
possible the City's financial exposure in the pursuit of the bid.
Salient provisions of the agreement include:
(i)The express prohibition on TO-Bid from borrowing money or spending more money than
it has raised.
(ii)The adoption by TO-Bid of a budget and strategic plan.
(iii)The requirement on TO-Bid to indemnify the City from any and all commitments, losses
or expenses arising as a result of the agreement and to obtain insurance upon the City's
request.
(iv)The right of the City Auditor to inspect the books and records of TO-Bid.
City staff have held a number of meetings with TO-Bid staff since the execution of the Bid
City Agreement. The purpose of these meetings was to develop an interim budget for the Bid.
The interim budget (July to October) is intended to place controls on expenditures and
financial commitments until such time that the newly created TO-Bid is operational and that
its board of directors have had an opportunity to develop a budget and strategic plans.
The interim budget was developed to ensure that financial controls and an orderly transition of
financial matters are in place until the TO-Bid corporation is operational.
Financial Plan for the 2008 Games:
The draft Bid Book contains financial estimates for the staging of the 2008 Games. The
estimates were developed by City and BidCo staff in consultation with KPMG.
Revenue estimates were primarily based upon firm contractual commitments for broadcast
rights, third party expert analysis for ticketing revenue, and projections based upon Atlanta
actuals for sponsorship and license revenue.
Cost estimates are primarily divided into two categories: operating and capital. Operating cost
estimates are based upon detailed analysis of the actual operating expenditures incurred for
the hosting of the Atlanta games.
Capital costs are costs estimated for the construction of new and expansions to existing
facilities. The cost estimates were prepared by PCL Contractors Inc. and are based on analysis
of proposed venues.
Adjustments were made to account for exchange rates, inflation and discount rates so that the
financial projections reflect 1998 Canadian dollars.
Work is currently underway to refine the financial projections and strategies in the following
areas:
(i)More detailed analysis of timing of cash flow projections.
(ii)Exchange rate differentials and sensitivity analysis.
(iii)Further detailed analysis of operating costs based upon Sydney 2000 budget estimates
and costs incurred to date.
(iv)Rigorous analysis of capital cost estimates prepared by PCL.
(v)Mechanisms for financing the costs of the Olympic and media villages.
(vi)Assessing the nature and extent of Federal and Provincial financial support and
guaranties.
Preliminary meetings have also been held with staff from the offices of the Honourable David
Collenette, Sheila Copps, Lloyd Axworthy and the Prime Minister. These meetings were
initiated in order to brief Federal officials on the City's Olympic Bid and ensure a coordinated
approach.
It is our understanding that a Cabinet submission will outline a process to determine the
financial obligations and desired infrastructure improvements to be made by the federal
government.
2.3Transportation:
Council raised a number of transportation issues related to the Olympics, such as transit for
the Olympics, consultation with the Gardner/Lake Shore Task Force and transportation
legacies of the games and direct staff to report back in six months. Therefore, transportation
issues will be addressed in detail in the report to the November 25th, 1998 Council meeting.
The following summarizes the action to date.
City Olympic Office staff initiated discussions with staff from Works and Emergency
Services, Urban Planning and Development Services, the Toronto Transit Commission, and
GO Transit regarding the status of the bid and the transportation issues which were raised by
Council in March and July, 1998. An overview of the bid status and the transportation issues
raised to date is being prepared for the Gardiner/Lake Shore Task Force and the City Cycling
and Pedestrian Committees. These groups will also be invited to participate in the focus
groups in November.
The transportation issues raised by the bid for the Olympics fall into several broad categories:
(i)The Transportation Operations Plan to accommodate the athletes, dignitaries, spectators
and visitors during the Olympics and Paralympics.
(ii)Transportation plans for each of the venues and the surrounding area, including the
athletes' and media villages, both during the Olympics and as permanent facilities.
(iii)Transportation accessibility to satisfy the transport needs of people with disabilities and
particularly paralympic athletes and spectators.
(iv)Transportation infrastructure priorities which could enhance the bid.
Phase 1 of public consultation, developing principles to guide the Olympic bid, includes a
focus group in November, specifically on transportation which will involve transportation
advocacy groups, operators and agencies and will include representatives of the disability
community.
The City Olympic Office will work closely with other City departments and agencies to
coordinate transportation planning with TO-Bid and to address transportation issues as they
are raised by Council throughout the bid preparation.
2.4Cultural Programming:
The Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism was requested by
Councillor Tzekas to submit a report to Council through the Economic Development
Committee on the 2004 Cultural Olympiad and how City Council and the 2008 TO-Bid
Committee can incorporate the concept of culture into the City of Toronto's Olympic Bid.
In response to this motion, staff from TO-Bid have already begun to coordinate efforts with
respect to the 2000 Cultural Olympiad in Sydney, Australia and will make contact with
representatives from Athens to ensure that the concept of culture is incorporated into the
Olympic Bid in a manner consistent with both the experiences of the 2000 Olympics in
Sydney and the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
2.5 Other Motions:
Coordination with Toronto 2000 Initiative:
The CAO was requested by Councillor Davis 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.
In response to this motion, staff met with representatives of the Toronto 2000 organization,
and further meetings will be set up this winter to begin to coordinate the efforts of both
initiatives. The year 2000 will be very important in terms of raising the profile of Toronto's
bid to host the 2008 Olympics and the staffs of Toronto 2000, City Olympic Office and
TO-Bid will ensure that opportunities for showcasing the City of Toronto's bid to host the
Olympics will be maximized.
Diversity:
The CAO was requested by Councillor Davis to submit a report to the Economic
Development Committee on issues related to ensuring diversity in the award of contracts,
master licensing agreements, etc., which may include 'set asides' and/or other mechanisms to
ensure economic participation in a successful Olympic Bid of minority-owned businesses.
With respect to this motion, all access and equity policies adopted by the former
municipalities within Toronto are in effect in the new City until Council declares otherwise.
As such, these policies are directly relevant to the City's current purchasing practices and will
be referred to TO-Bid for application to their contract and purchasing activities. Staff will
report back on this matter and discussions with TO-Bid as part of the next update report
scheduled for the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee meeting of November 18, 1998,
and Council meeting of November 25, 1998.
Council Task Force:
The Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture & Tourism was requested by
Councillor Ashton to submit a report to council through Economic Development Committee
on the composition, mandate and Terms of Reference of a City Council Task Force to provide
oversight and independent assessment in the areas of social and fiscal responsibility for the
Olympic Games; the Members of such Task Force to be recommended by the Striking
Committee.
Staff are continuing to work to respond to this direction and will report on this matter to the
November 25, 1998, Council meeting as part of the next update report.
Relationship of the Bid to the City's Official Plan process:
The Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services was requested by
Councillor Jones to submit a report to the Urban Environment and Development Committee
on the possible impacts of the Olympic Bid on the new City of Toronto Official Plan process.
In response to this motion, a memo was sent to the Commissioner requesting that a response
be coordinated to go to through Urban Environment and Development Committee to the same
November 25, 1998 Council meeting at which the next update report will be considered.
City Solicitor's report on the Mayor's position:
The City Solicitor was requested to submit a report to the Economic Development Committee
on the Mayor's ability to participate as the Chief Executive Officer for the City of Toronto
given the composition of the Bid Committee.
The City Solicitor will be responding to this motion in a separate report to the October 1,
1998 Council.
Mr. David Hulchanski's June 24, 1998 Communication:
Council directed that the communication dated June 24, 1998 from Mr. David Hulchanski,
Professor of Housing and Community Development be referred to several parties.
In response to this motion, Dr. Hulchanski's communication entitled "Housing and social
Impacts of the Olympics: An Update from Sydney" has been forwarded to the TO-Bid
Committee staff, the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services and the
Homeless Advisory Committee.
Additions to Groups List:
Councillor Miller added several groups to the list of groups set out in the June 24, 1998,
report.
In response to this motion, the Parkdale Tenants' Association, the Parkdale community Legal
Services, Parkdale Intercultural Association, the Parkdale Liberty Economic Development
Committee and the Parkdale Business Improvement Area groups were all send copies of the
brochure and invited to participate in the public consultation process now underway.
--------
Appendix 3
Report on the inaugural TO-Bid Board meeting
The inaugural TO-Bid Board meeting was held on September 1, 1998. According to the
Council direction, the meeting was open to the public and over 40 people attended in addition
to the Board members, staff from TO-Bid and the City Olympic Office. The agenda for the
meeting included adopting the Bid City Agreement, the Bid Corporation By-laws, and the
committee structure and membership.
At the meeting, the Board confirmed the Bid City Agreement, adopted the Toronto 2008
Olympic Bid Corporation By-law, and endorsed the initial 17 members of the Executive
Committee, (including as ex-officio members, the Mayor of the City of Toronto, the President
of the Canadian Olympic Associaiton, and the Chairman of the Bid). One member will be
added to the Executive Committee following the planned expansion of the Board at its next
meeting.
It is further planned that the Executive Commitee will name the chairs of the 13 Board
subcommittees. The subcommittee chairs, in turn, will collaborate in developing their
respective committees' membership.
--------
The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee also submits the following
communication (September24,1998) from Michael Shapcott, on behalf of Bread Not
Circuses Coalition:
Our Coalition is unable to attend today's meeting of the Strategic Policies and Priorities
meeting at which the Commissioner of Economic Development Culture and Tourism will
present an October Update Report on the 2008 Toronto Olympic bid. Therefore, I am
requesting that this letter be circulated to all committee members for their information and
action.
The obsessive secrecy of TO-Bid not only defies the basic principles of democratic
accountability, but also is a violation of the letter and spirit of a direct motion of Toronto City
Council. In July of 1998, on a vote of 46 to 6, Toronto City Council adopted a motion from
Councillor David Miller that resolved that: "the Olympic bid be an open and public process"
and that "TO-Bid hold open and public meetings except where matters require confidentiality"
and that "TO-Bid fully disclose to City Council and the people of Toronto all budgets and
financial statements".
Bread Not Circuses has made numerous oral and written requests to TO-Bid since January of
1998 requesting bid budgets and financial statements. In May, we also requested financial
information from Mayor Mel Lastman and Commissioner Joe Halstead. Since the July motion
requiring public disclosure of financial material, our Coalition has made several written and
oral requests. Every request for financial information has been denied even though bid
president David Crombie has publicly admitted that the committee's staff produces monthly
cash-flow statements, among other financial materials.
We are asking that SPPC direct TO-Bid to comply with the specific direction of City Council
and release the relevant financial information, as requested by Bread Not Circuses.
In addition, TO-Bid has made a policy decision that meetings of the important Executive
Committee of TO-Bid will be held in secret. It appears that Messrs. Godfrey, Lastman,
Hudson, Ginou, Halstead and other members of the committee do not wish to be publicly
accountable for their discussions and decisions. These are not the only secret meetings. At the
TO-Bid meeting in early September, Mr. Crombie publicly thanked Mr. Godfrey for chairing
a series of secret meetings over the summer at which important decisions regarding the
composition of TO-Bid were apparently made. Our Coalition has made several oral and
written requests for information on meeting of TO-Bid. In the case of both the first full board
meeting, and also the first Executive Committee meeting, we learned of the meeting dates
from articles in the media rather than notices from TO-Bid responding to our specific
requests.
We are asking that SPPC direct TO-Bid to comply with the specific direction of Toronto City
Council to hold open and public meetings, including open and public meeting of its Executive
Committee. As part of this request, we are asking that TO-Bid respond to specific requests
from members of the public by providing proper notice of such meetings.
I want to remind members of the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee that the 2008
Olympic Games if they are staged in Toronto, will be the biggest and most costly
mega-project in the history of our city. Democratic accountability to the people and elected
officials of Toronto has to be one of the foundations of the bidding process.