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Hooray! We won the Olympic Bid and the Pan-Am Bid. We will flood billions of dollars into our economy just like we did with the Montreal Olympics… Oh wait a minute... That didn’t quite work out did it? (Psst.... the Big O Stadium cost us C$1.61 billion and took 30 years of tax payer dollars!)

Canada doesn’t really have the whole patriotic feeling going for it much but, the Olympics does make us root for our Canadian athletes. We care about our medal count. We start demanding higher allocation of funds for our athletes. Some of us even start dressing red and white.

That’s all great. I’m down to root for Canada and our athletes. But, seriously does it matter? It’s a game in the end.

Why are we so okay with government funding (our tax dollars) going to a building which will be given to a major corporation for beans or for free? A building we will never be able to access unless we reach deep into our wallets?

The BMO Field in Toronto was paid for by you.  I liked one part of the agreement; residents would be able to use the field in the off-season for minimal charge. I still don’t agree with us funding the stadium but hey, it’s a start. So, what happened? How come you and I don’t ever play soccer there? Get this: after one summer, the owners decide the agreement is for the turf ( aka the field) and so they move the turf to some remote location in Brampton and you can go play there. Yes, this a true story, one of many.

As far as supporting our athletes:  most of those success stories are from upper middle-class to upper-class families that could afford sports without our help. We fund our athletes only at the highest level. Look at our grass root sports funding; it's pathetic.

How come we never have enough money for social support programs such as health care or public transit but there always appears to be billions of dollars to give during a mega event?

Let’s prioritize. Winning a medal is nice. But, we have more important things to worry about.

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Comments

anna
12/21/2009 2:33am

A protester group, claims that 270,000 dollars was used to bring the flame to Vancouver for the Olympics. Which is too much, and I agree.

But, even though we spent so much money on bringing a flame, or in your blog, the O stadium. the games will bring a lot of revenue, taking back government support.

Although, the government backs this up, most of the Olympic games in the last 20 year is runned on sponsorships.

Just look back on the history of Canada and at the Montreal Olympics. They got out of their debt just a couple of years ago in 2006, but back in 1976 there was lack of business promotion and sponsorships.

The government is working hard to increased the excellence and opportunities for Canadian athletes, and though we are trying to shoot for the grass root levels. We must fund for athletes in the middle upper class, because even they need lots of financial assistance during international competitions.

The Pan-Am games being held in southern Ontario will increase the number of facilities, and improvements of recreational community centers over a number of many GTA cities, so that amateur athletes will be able to live their dream, and children will be exposed to physical activity. There is no doubt that lots of the money will give back to community programs and their residents.
The Pam-Am games is also speeding the process of transit improvements all over Toronto.

The government believes that if they put money into a project, that in the future it will bring more revenue for the city. They are looking for the greater good of the country, not trying to rip us off. All we can do is believe, that something like the Montreal debt will not happen again.

Regardless, having the Olympics or even the Pam-Am games is something everyone should be proud of.

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Fareedah
12/21/2009 8:45am

"All we can do is believe, that something like the Montreal debt will not happen again."

Believe? You mean, like in the toothfairy?
Democratic governments are prone to hypocracy, and just it's a "proud" event for some people in hype, the reality seemsto be very different.

check this out: http://www.no2010.com/

you're right that the gov't thinks it's doing good, and it might be. But maybe citizens should still be aware and not be overwhelmed by olympic hype.

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Guess?
12/21/2009 2:03pm

You should be thankful you live in Canada. What country does not have problems with their government...everyone country does. Support da athletes and the Olympic hype instead of talking out of your ass. We need these events so that consumption and spending can increase the confidence of the residents so that we as a country can grow in these difficult times. I'm sorry if you take it offensive but, compared to other countries that lack the benefits Canadians receive we are far better off. And these athletes need our support

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Fareedah
12/21/2009 2:50pm

Firstly, pointing out the FACT of the Canadian government's problems has nothing to do with pride about being Canadian

Secondly,if you read the article and comments, you'll find that no-one is claiming governments don't have problems.

Thirdly, the supposed economic growth that you point to is at a great social cost: social assistance funding has been cut, and low-cost housing has been loss as a result of the games, not to mention the loss of Native land.

Now, if you only look at the numbers then, on paper, all seems well. However, the government doesn't exist to make govern for good stats. The government governs to serve the people. And it is the job of the people to hold them accountable when they fail to do that.

ps. no-one said don't support the athletes. However, how can we just sit, clapping and smiling like fools, when we know the adverse affects of the Olympics? I suppose the Chinese government, as it jailed its dissidents also said "just support the athletes."

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Fareedah
12/21/2009 2:51pm

Well, all of this True North is Native land, no?

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anas
12/21/2009 3:03pm

On top of that holding these mega events increases property values and cost of living for residents. Though the first may seem great for some and lucrative; it really puts those in lower socio-economic status in great difficulty. You don't see the government stepping in to help those in need with the "added" revenue.

And by no means was this article comparing Canada with any other nation. I don't think that needs to be done with this issue.

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anna
12/27/2009 12:51pm

The Native Land was property of the natives whether or not we had the olympics.

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