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BC 2010 Winter Olympic Bid
Another major issue in BC politics is the 2010 Vancouver-Whistler Olympic bid. The bid has been controversial due to its immense cost at a time when the provincial government is cutting social spending to balance the budget. This section examines several topics, including:
- The Olympic plebiscite held in Vancouver.
- The cost of holding the Games and how it will be paid for.
- Quick facts on the Olympic bid.
- Important links
Vancouver Olympic Plebiscite
On February 22, 2003, the City of Vancouver held a plebiscite on whether or not to go forward with the bid for the 2010 Winter Olympics. The city voted heavily in favour of the Olympic bid. The turnout for the plebiscite was exceptional, with 46% of eligible voters casting a ballot. Civic and Mayoral elections tend to only draw 20% of eligible voters.
The plebiscite involved the following question:
Do you support or do you oppose the City of Vancouver's participation in hosting the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Winter Games?
- YES, I support the City of Vancouver's participation
- NO, I oppose the City of Vancouver's participation.
The unofficial results of the plebiscite where as follows:
| Number of Ballots | Percent of Ballots | |
| YES Vote | 86,113 | 64% |
| NO Vote | 48,651 | 36% |
| Spoiled Ballots | 27 | 0% |
| Total: | 134,791 | 100% |
Cost of 2010 Olympics and Who Will Pay
One of the major issues facing the Olympic bid is the cost of holding the 2010 Winter Olympics. The total cost for hosting the Games is estimated at almost $3 billion, and can be broken down into the following categories:
| Amount (millions $) | |
| Operating the Games | 1,455 |
| Construction of Venues & Facilities | 610 |
| Infrastructure Upgrades (including road and highway construction) | 817 |
| Total | 2,882 |
The BC provincial government, the government of Canada, and revenues stemming from hosting the Games themselves, will cover the cost for the Games. This can be broken down in the following manner:
| Amount (millions $) | |
| Government of BC | *1,248 |
| Government of Canada | 320 |
| Revenues from the Games | **1,314 |
| Total | 2,882 |
* Cost to BC government if it commits to full support of the Games.
** Revenues from the Games include television revenues, corporate sponsorships, ticket sales, licences and other private contributions.
Quick Facts on the Olympic Bid
- Who is leading the bid? – The Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation leads
the bid. Board of Directors Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jack W. Poole and
President and Chief Operating Officer John Furlong head the Corporation.
- Cost of the Bid – Vancouver’s Olympic bid will cost an estimated $34 million. The federal and provincial governments will cover over half of the cost ($9.1 million each), with the remainder being contributed by corporate and private supporters.
Timeline
- 1998 November – The Canadian Olympic Committee launches a nation-wide search for a city to represent Canada in the competition for the 2010 Winter Games.
- 1998 March – The Canadian Olympic Committee selects Vancouver-Whistler as the winning national Bid over Calgary and Québec City.
- 1999 June – The Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation is established to prepare the international Bid.
- 2002 August – The International Olympic Committee announces Vancouver-Whistler in its shortlist of candidate cities for the 2010 Winter Games.
- 2003 February – The City of Vancouver votes in favour of hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics.
- 2003 March – The International Olympic Committee Evaluation Commission visits Vancouver.
- 2003 July – The International Olympic Committee will select the host city for the 2010 Winter Games.
Important Links
Vancouver 2010 Bid Corporation Website
Provincial Government Olympic
Bid Website