| An Open Letter to the City of Vancouver's Mayor and Council
Mayor and Council:
If you haven't already, please read the BC Office of the Auditor General's review of the 2010 Games estimates, September 2006.
In the document, the Office indicates a startling revelation. The Province is not legally responsible for all costs associated with agreements signed by the City of Vancouver.
In late 2002, 'No Games' brought this to the attention of the sitting councillors of the day.
I suggest the elected officials of Vancouver conduct a thorough review of its costs associated with the Games and make this review public to their residents. Transparency will not only keep the residents informed (after all, they are paying the bills) but also help keep the City's elected officials informed as to how much money in staff time, resources and capital is being spent. Cost control is another benefit coming from the regular accounting of all City of Vancouver costs associated with hosting the Games.
It was estimated by the New South Wales Auditor General's Office in Australia after the 2000 Sydney Summer Games, that all levels of government spent over $200 million in costs associated with the administration and planning. The costs associated with the various administration of the capital projects, cultural and policing costs not estimated in VANOC's costs as well as all other operating costs must be accounted for and made public.
Just what is the City of Vancouver's estimates for administration, planning security for the Games that are not being paid for by VANOC, the Province or the Feds? And perhaps while the City conducts a review of its 'operating' costs associated with the 2010 Games it could provide an update on its capital expenditures associated with the 2010 Games.
I'm sure all of these costs are well above what the former Mayor and former Chair of the Parks Board claimed to the residents in Vancouver during the Vancouver 2010 plebiscite campaign, 'it isn't going to cost the people of Vancouver a cent'.
How about making transparent the City's estimate and actual costs associated with the 2010 Games. Shouldn't those paying the bills know that the City is accounting and controlling its costs associated with the Games?
Phil LeGood
2010watch
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