The Toronto Sun reports Ontario Health Promotion Minister Margaret Best said Friday that a letter has been sent from the province of Ontario to the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) expressing support for the exploration and viability of putting the Golden Horseshoe of Ontario forward as a candidate for the 2015 Pan American Games.
Best said, “we need to assess what would have to be done and how much it will cost”, adding the support of the federal government and interested municipalities would have to be gauged.
Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario, has asked the Ministry to take the next steps to assess the federal and municipal commitment to a fiscally sound bid.
Best said current estimates have the cost of a Pan Am Games up to $2 billion. She said, “this would address the infrastructure deficit and promote tourism and put the region on the world stage”.
The letter states that the province is “very impressed with the level of engagement and excitement amongst the affected communities and their leaders”.
Also, the provincial government sent letters this week to municipal leaders advising them that they’re continuing to study a bid and that a decision could come in late June.
Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has said the government would consider supporting a bid.
The COC board of directors is scheduled to meet in Calgary Saturday to discuss endorsing the Southern Ontario bid.
