Vancouver/Fraser Valley (With files from CNW) -MARCH 14 UPDATE – It appears recent remarks about the cost to BC taxpayers from BC John Horgan may have played a significant role in the decision for Vancouver to be dropped as a possible World Cup contending city.
The United Bid Committee has sent a letter to the city and province, saying Vancouver has missed the deadline, and that Toronto, Montreal, and Edmonton will be among the Canadian cities under consideration.
But lurking in the background were concerns about hidden costs from FIFA should the Canadian bid be successful. Requests for FIFA clarification were rejected by the committee.
This is not the first time Vancouver has lost out to a major sporting event on the World stage. In 1972, the Dave Barrett led BC NDP government rejected an IOC request for Vancouver/Garibaldi to become a host city after Denver said No to the 1976 Winter Olympics after a referendum.
Here is the Official Response from the Province :
Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, has made the following statement about Vancouver potentially hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2026:
“The prospect of hosting the FIFA World Cup is exciting for soccer fans, and has the potential to bring significant economic and cultural benefits to British Columbia. For the past several weeks, our government has been working diligently with the United Bid Committee – consisting of Canada, the United States and Mexico – to bring the 2026 cup to Vancouver, as one of the committee’s Canadian host cities.
“While we support the prospect of hosting the World Cup, we cannot agree to terms that would put British Columbians at risk of shouldering potentially huge and unpredictable costs.
“Throughout this process, we have been in regular contact with the bid committee and other levels of government to support this bid, while protecting taxpayers. Through these conversations and our submissions to the bid committee, we have made numerous attempts to clarify the risks and obligations faced by British Columbians.
“So far, the bid committee has rejected our requests to clarify how much British Columbians could be expected to contribute. And they have declined to negotiate with the province regarding the concerns we raised.
“Should the bid committee reconsider, our door remains open to bringing some of the 2026 World Cup games to Vancouver.”
On June 13, 2018, FIFA will announce if United 2026, Morocco, or neither bidder will host the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
ORIGINAL STORY – Soccer fans in the Valley have been watching this closely, and it’s one step towards, at least the possibility of a couple of World Cup games at BC Place In Vancouver.
The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, announced that the Government of Canada is supporting-in-principle the United 2026 bid to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Held every four years, the FIFA World Cup™ is the most prestigious tournament for the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). Co-hosting this international event watched by billions of people worldwide would provide considerable sport, social, community, cultural and economic benefits as well as showcase Canada around the world.
While Canada has never hosted the FIFA World Cup™ for Men, it has successfully hosted all other FIFA competitions, including the record setting FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™. Held in six cities and provinces from coast to coast across Canada, 1.35 million spectators that attended the newly expanded 24-team competition contributed to an economic impact of nearly a half-a-billion dollars.
The soccer governing bodies for Canada, Mexico and the United States jointly announced on April 10, 2017, that they would pursue a bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™.
The importance of the Canada-United States-Mexico relationship is reflected in our strong diplomatic, cultural, educational and commercial relations. Canada remains committed to strengthening its multi-faceted relationship with its North American friends and allies. The collaboration of our three governments in support of the United Bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™ is another example of how much our three countries can achieve when we work together toward common goals.
On June 13, 2018, FIFA will announce if United 2026, Morocco, or neither bidder will host the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
Premier John Horgan has yet to throw his government’s support behind the bid as of yet. He doesn’t like a FIFA clause in the contract that can change some of the peramaters of what BC Place would need (security, grass field) and the cost would be paid by the taxpayer. The Vancouver Whitecaps, as you would expect, are supporting the bid. Global is reporting that talks are well underway to satisfy Premier Horgan’s demands.
NOTE:
The FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 and the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014 helped generate $493.6 million in economic activity for Canada.
The Government of Canada is the single largest investor in Canada’s sport system, promoting sport participation among all Canadians and providing support for young athletes, their national and multisport organizations, and the hosting of international events so that our athletes can compete with the best.
If the event is awarded to United 2026, the Government of Canada will provide up to $5 million to support continued development of event plans and budgets that will inform future decisions around specific funding for the event.
