Bill 77, City of Toronto XXIX Summer Olympic Games Bid Endorsement Act, 1998

Versions

B077_E

Bill 77 1998

An Act to endorse the proposed bid of the City of Toronto to host the XXIX Summer Olympic Games

Preamble

The City of Toronto has expressed its intention to submit a bid to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to host the XXIX Summer Olympic Games in the year 2008.

The ideals of the Olympic movement include promoting a peaceful environment for the education of youth through the practice of sport without discrimination and in a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. Ontario supports those ideals.

Ontario recognizes that if the City of Toronto is successful in a bid to host the Games, the Games can constitute a lasting legacy for the Province in the form of enduring sporting facilities and increased cultural exchanges.

Ontario can enhance the world-wide legitimacy of a bid by the City of Toronto to host the Games by endorsing the bid and encouraging harmony, co-operation and co-ordination among the individuals, organizations, businesses and governments that are involved in the bid. Those actions will also improve the subsequent organization of the Games if the bid is successful.

Ontario supported the City of Toronto in its bid for the 1996 Summer Games. This support included a grant of $3.102 million and a commitment of $125 million from non-tax revenue sources to be used for capital facilities.

Ontario has an interest in assuring all Ontario taxpayers that the City of Toronto will provide a full financial accounting for its bid and the subsequent organization of the Games if the bid is successful.

It is therefore reasonable to endorse the bid that the City of Toronto proposes to make to host the XXIX Summer Olympic Games in the year 2008.

Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Purposes

1. The purposes of this Act are,

(a) to endorse the bid that the City of Toronto proposes to make to host the XXIX Summer Olympic Games in the year 2008 subject to the terms of the agreement to be finalized with the bid organizers; and

(b) to encourage the municipalities and citizens of Ontario in all their diversity to unite in support of the bid as further evidence to the IOC of extensive provincial acclaim.

Spending and guarantees

2. (1) Nothing in this Act requires Ontario to spend public money within the meaning of the Financial Administration Act or to guarantee any payment of money.

Assurances

(2) Ontario, through the Office of the Ontario Olympics Commissioner, shall detail through a statement to the House, the prerequisite assurances required by the IOC to the Legislative Assembly prior to the final bid proposal meeting of the IOC that is scheduled for Moscow in the Autumn of 2001.

Provincial participation

(3) The May 1991 Report produced by the Ministry of Tourism and Recreation, Olympic Secretariat and entitled, "An Analysis and Report on the Toronto Ontario Bid for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games" was written to be used for a subsequent bid and calls for active participation by Ontario early in the bid process including all elements of management, fundraising, planning and guarantees that are key ingredients of the application and accordingly the Province, through the Office of the Commissioner, may participate in the bid process.

Declaration of support

3. (1) The desire to host a part of the Olympic Games is one of the ultimate forms of support; Ontario represented by the members of the elected Assembly confirms that all municipalities may offer their communities and facilities as potential sites for use as practice sites or venues during the Games.

Same

(2) Ontario requests that the elected councils of all municipalities show their unanimity for the world-wide endeavour that is reflected in the Olympic bid through the voluntary passing of a motion before the June 1999 meeting of the IOC that indicates their unqualified support.

Agreement

(3) To promote a co-operative relationship between Ontario and TO-Bid, an agreement will be struck before the June 1999 meeting of the IOC which includes a management plan for the development of the bid and the organization of the Games should Toronto win the right to host the XXIX Summer Olympic Games.

Commencement

4. This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

5. The short title of this Act is the City of Toronto XXIX Summer Olympic Games Bid Endorsement Act, 1998.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill endorses the bid that the City of Toronto proposes to make to host the XXIX Summer Olympic Games in the year 2008. The Bill recognizes that Ontario's participation in the bid process is a necessity if it is to be successful. This involvement can only be sustained through mutually acceptable terms enshrined in an agreement between Ontario and the organizers of the Toronto proposal.

The Bill also asks all municipalities in Ontario and citizens of Ontario to support voluntarily the bid.

Office of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Toronto, Ontario, Canada.