Although a Toronto, Ontario bid for the 2015 Pan American Games is attracting interest from senior levels of government, the Toronto Sun reports that the provincial and federal governments have indicated they are in preliminary meetings to discuss details of a possible to bid to have the Pan Am Games hosted in the Golden Horseshoe area of Ontario.
A spokesman for Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said the games look like a great opportunity for Toronto and Ontario, while Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty told Sun Media, “I couldn’t confirm that we’d do anything, but we will look at it of course and treat it openly and fairly”.
Senior officials are looking for assurances that a Toronto bid makes financial sense following Halifax’s withdrawal from the 2014 Commonwealth Games bid when the budget went over $1 billion.
Flaherty said, “the criteria for these types of events has to be fiscal soundness. The Commonwealth Games in Halifax didn’t work out despite the federal government being prepared to participate financially. There may be some lessons there”.
A spokesman for Health Promotion Minister Margaret Best said their ministry officials are in exploratory discussions on the issue. “We’re always looking for good opportunities”, said Rick Byun.
Ontario has a dismal record bidding for large-scale sports events. Toronto failed in its bid for the 1996 and 2008 Summer Olympic Games, and Ontario last hosted a major games in Hamilton in 1930. But according to the Toronto Sun supporters of a 2015 Pan Am Games bid say the timing may finally be right, provided provincial and federal governments are game.
Venezuela and Colombia are competing to host the 2015 Pan Am Games.
