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Letters to the Editor
No Games 2010 Coalition
Vancouver has spent $750,000 in support of the Bid despite only a 1 in 4 chance in getting the right to host the Games. The City is spending $75,000 for "Olympic" banners for the IOC Technical Team Visit in March.
In addition, the City of Vancouver, Province of BC and the Federal Government recently announce another one of their vote buying tactics, "Celebration 2010", a party that begins just one week before the February 22nd Vancouver vote. Total cost for this party, $880,000.
Total cost for promoting the bid: $1.8 million. When we are closing day care centres and women’s shelters, how can the three levels of government morally justify the $880,000 for this mini-Olympic party It’s kind of like playing fiddle while Rome burns.
There has not been a true cost/benefit analysis and there are no guarantees that the capital costs will not escalate beyond $1.75 billion.
The whole project is being funded by public dollars without an analysis of opportunity costs, even the New South Wales Audit Office indicated that $1.3 billion could have been applied to the provision of services and infrastructure other than for the Sydney 2000 Summer Games.
The people of this province are fuming mad they know who will benefit
and who will not, they’re not mesmerized by smoke and mirrors.
– Phil Le Good
Yes to 2010
Saying "Yes, Let’s Invite the World in 2010" on February 22nd should be an informed decision by all plebiscite voters. From a "yes" perspective, voters can take comfort in the fact that hosting the games will bring both short-term and long-term benefits for tourism, and the community at-large.
These benefits include international media attention and focus on our city and province, increased visitation, and much-needed business investment. A vote for 2010 also promises facility and sport legacies, social housing and broader infrastructure improvements that aid all residents in Greater Vancouver and beyond.
An informed decision takes into consideration the Auditor General’s conclusions that the numbers do work, and that the economic plan is viable based on solid management of the games.
It should also be noted that voting "Yes" will result in incremental tax revenues that can be used for health care, education and transportation improvements, over and above what funds are currently allocated to those areas.
This vote is not about health care and education versus the Olympics. It’s about a long-term investment toward a healthy, growing, sustainable economy for Vancouver, British Columbia and Canada.
– Rick Antonson, President, Tourism Vancouver
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