Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said Monday the Ontario government will not lobby for a Pan Am Games during the Beijing Summer Games unless the federal government decides to support Ontario’s bid soon, reports the Toronto Sun.
The Premier said he wants to travel to China for two days of intense politicking with Pan American Sports Organization delegates during the Beijing Games next month. According to the Toronto Sun representatives from two rival bidders, Venezuela and Columbia, will probably be there, but any lobbying would be difficult without the federal government’s support.
McGuinty is quoted saying, “I can’t (go) and I haven’t heard from them. I’m eager to do that, so we’re still in communication with them and we’re waiting”.
According to the Toronto Sun the federal government has said it needs to assess Southern Ontario’s business case for the games and ensure both it and the province can afford the estimated $1.77 billion a bid would cost. A provincial Member of Parliament said last week the process could take until well into the fall.
