WATCH ABOVE: The Olympic bid deadline is 15 days away and with many differing opinions, people have been left wondering, is it actually going to happen?
TORONTO — The deadline for a potential 2024 Summer Olympic Games bid is looming over the city of Toronto and although there are many differing opinions on the issue, no definitive decision has been made.
Mayor John Tory said he has been in consultation with many parties about the possibility of a bid before the Sept. 15 deadline, but has yet to make a decision on whether to move forward with a letter of intent or official bid.
“I’ve started over the last week to talk to an extensive amount of people over the phone who run the gambit of prominent labour leaders, to prominent business leaders, to non-profit leaders, to people in the sports business and to past leaders of our community,” Tory said.
“I hope to be in a position … to have a reasonably complete summary of all that information at my disposal when it comes time to make a decision whether to submit a letter or not.”
READ MORE: Despite IOC claims of cost-saving, Toronto Olympic bid could top $50 million
Tory said he has spoken briefly with Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Prime Minister Stephen Harper on the possibility of hosting the Olympic Games, but no mention of funding for the event has been announced by the provincial or federal government.
Tory added that he was “very determined” in his questioning of people in the private sector as potential participants in an Olympic bid.
“The cost of mounting a bid should be largely worn by the private sector. If people are enthusiastic about this then they have a great opportunity to invest in making a bid happen and making it successful,” he said.
“One of the questions I am asking people is, ‘Would you step up yourselves and be a part of this?’ because I believe that bid — if there is to be one — should be largely financed by the private sector and it’s been done elsewhere and it could be done here if the people had the will and the interest in doing so.”
At yesterday’s budget meeting, many councillors offered their opinion on the possibility of an Olympic bid.
“I don’t think it’s going to serve the city of Toronto at all to pursue an Olympic bid,” said Councillor John Campbell, who has been outspoken against the bid.
Councillor James Pasternak previously advocated for a bi-national bid in partnership with Boston.
READ MORE: City councillors split on possibility of Toronto Olympic bid ahead of deadline
Boston has since dropped out of the running and Pasternak says hosting the Olympics in Toronto is a long shot.
“That ship is sailing,” Pasternak said.
“There wasn’t a special council meeting in August or a special executive meeting. We don’t have buy-in from the provincial and federal government or the private sector.”
Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie released a statement on the possibility of a Toronto Olympic bid.
“Before deciding on whether or not Mississauga would support a Toronto bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympics, my Council would need to first study a comprehensive business case which details the budget implications and financial requests Mississauga taxpayers would be asked to commit to as part of this collective effort,” the statement said.
“With the ongoing public debates, I have asked that this matter be added to Council’s General Committee meeting set for Wednesday, September 9.”
READ MORE: Toronto councillor suggests bi-national 2024 Olympic bid
Although there are many opinions advising against an Olympic bid, former Olympian Curt Harnett says he thinks Toronto is ready to host the Games.
“My opinion is that I think we should go for it,” Harnett said.
“As an Olympian … and as a resident of this city, I believe Toronto is ready to go. It really does have what it takes to host an Olympic Games.”
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