MONTREAL – Montreal has renounced its bid to host the 2017 World Police and Fire Games after several unions have said they would boycott the event.
Mayor Denis Coderre announced the decision Saturday.
The city’s two police and firefighter unions had vowed to boycott the games to protest provincial government pension reform legislation, and a handful of other unions have said they won’t attend out of solidarity.
The daily email you need for
's top news stories.
READ MORE: National police union joins boycott of World Police and Fire Games in Montreal
The event was expected to draw 10,000 athletes from 70 countries.
Coderre has suggested the games be held in Toronto instead.
WATCH BELOW: Tensions build between police officers and the City of Montreal.