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Expo positioning

While the Olympic flame won’t be lit in Toronto anytime soon – on January 20 the city’s Economic Development Committee voted unanimously against bidding on the 2024 Summer Games – a bid for the 2025 World Expo is still alive. Herein the Expo debate in nine quotes.


“It’s about business and trade and technology, and transfer of commerce and culture. It would be a mistake for us to not give it serious consideration.”

Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, who as a rookie councillor encouraged the Ford administration to explore an Olympic bid.


“The Olympics are the NHL, and the Expo is kind of like the minor leagues.”

Public Works and Infrastructure Committee chair Denzil Minnan-Wong, who like other conservatives wary of the 2015 Pan Am Games going over budget, realizes it’s an election year and doesn’t want to be seen as throwing good money after bad.


“We have many, many challenges in this city. Getting the Olympics or getting the Expo is not one of them.”

Economic Development Committee chair Michael Thompson, who says the millions it will cost to make a formal bid would be better spent on housing and transit. We agree, except under Thompson’s watch the Ford administration hasn’t acquitted itself well on either count.


“One of the major advantages [of hosting the Olympics or Expo] is that it lets the world know we’re here. I would argue that the world already knows that. We don’t have to expend billions of dollars on megaprojects to carry that message to the rest of the world.”

Deputy mayor Norm Kelly, perhaps thinking more about the mayor’s notoriety than our world-class status.


“It’s time for an Expo. That’s the next big project for this city. Keep the dream alive.”

Liberal senator and former city of Toronto mayor Art Eggleton, a deputant at the January 20 meeting, is Expo’s highest-profile supporter.


“We’re dealing with this budget, getting the storm cleaned up. Let’s take is one step at a time. The Olympic bid and the World Expo should be shelved right now.”

Mayor Rob Ford doesn’t completely shut the door. But one has to wonder what he would say if those pushing the ventures were fellow conservatives instead of Liberals.


“A World Expo could provide the kind of catalyst we need for investment, for transit, for infrastructure, for civic engagement. It would be a fantastic opportunity for the arts and cultural community.”

Claire Hopkinson, director and CEO of the Toronto Arts Council, says the cultural impact of a World Expo would be “unparalleled.”


“It’s a very tough time to pull a successful bid together for the Expo.”

Michael Williams, general manager of the Economic Development & Culture Division, points out that all three levels of government will be holding elections in the next two years, making negotiating the necessary funding agreements extremely difficult.


“I think it can be a great city-building exercise. That’s what we need – something that is going to bring all five corners of Toronto together.”

Councillor Ana Bailão, a member of the Economic Development Committee, makes an inspirational argument.

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