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Were the Olympics worth the cost?

Maureen Bader of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and Neils Veldhuis of the Fraser Institute express their doubts in this televised report. See more on our Olympic Spending You Tube Playlist.

By: Maureen Bader
Posted: March 10, 2010
Topic: British Columbia

Contact the regional director Jordan Bateman for further information.
Type: In the News

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Comments

Wed, 2012-02-08 12:45 — An Anonymous Taxpayer

Olympics - Natives receive pay

I heard this on the news- did I hear right?
How come non aboriginal people were asked work at the Olympics was volunteers
and pay for their own travel, accommodation,and food but the Aboriginals were
covered for all costs plus paid a wage - non taxable ?
Are non aboriginals second class citizens in Canada?
Is this just reverse discrimination ?

Fri, 2010-09-03 22:41 — An Anonymous Taxpayer

Olympics and G20 spending

I would like to see a law in place which prevent our governments from hosting these huge money losing events.

Thu, 2010-04-15 06:14 — An Anonymous Taxpayer

you're right

We pay taxes for ourselves ?- not for the world? Get a grip on 'world' or get some new leaders in Canada to make sure we shout a little louder about the priviledged natives (here and in the reast of the world where they also deserve nothing-???> get yourselves a charity and take some loot yourselves- even then, I hope no one ever hears this (bs)

Thu, 2010-04-15 06:08 — An Anonymous Taxpayer

I'll bet

You would rather they had nothing forever?

Thu, 2010-04-15 06:06 — An Anonymous Taxpayer

incentive package

You ought to be ashamed of yourselves = everything costs money these days except feelings - if this makes you angry just look around at bad white people...  Oh ? there are no bad white pewople ?

Tue, 2010-03-16 01:11 — An Anonymous Taxpayer

Olympic Legacy or Betrayal?

 

Our government gave the Lil'Wat/Squamish bands a $194 million dollar incentive package to get support for the 2010 Olympic bid, yet the media has never been interested in going public with what can only be described as a bribe. Why is that? And what about giving co-ownership of Olympic venues (our legacy) to these bands?

We know so-called "co-ownership" is a joke - no one will  be willing to risk offending natives and sparking native insurrection, so bands will essentially be allowed to veto anything they don’t approve of.   Because armed conflict with natives is a potential media nightmare our government has allowed "consult and attempt to accomodate" to turn into "asking for permission".  The government has a fiduciary duty to all Canadians but their actions say otherwise.

THE "INCENTIVE" PACKAGE:

Larger Items

  • Co-ownership of the $102-million Nordic Center in the Callaghan Valley 1
  • Co-ownership of the $55-million bob/luge track at Blackcomb 1
  • Co-ownership of the $13-million athletes' center in the Callaghan Valley.1
  • Ownership 300 acres (122 ha) provincial Crown land ($ Unknown?) in Callaghan Valley.
  • Squamish/Lil'wat Cultural Center on 1.6 hectares of Crown land. Estimated $18 million for construction and setup.

Other Items

  • A share of the province-wide, $3-million aboriginal sports legacy fund
  • A $50,000 feasibility study on use of Callaghan Valley land - paid for by the province
  • a $2.3-million skills training program that will be paid for by the BC government
  • $6.5 million for housing in addition to the Whistler village houses
  • Ownership of 50 moveable houses from the Whistler athletes' village

Also

  • Skills and training project designed to bring new marketable skills to the bands' members
  • Assure that band businesses will be able to participate in contracts for goods and services to VANOC.
  • Consult with the Lil'wat and Squamish about the possibility of using aboriginal cultural names when considering what to call the Whistler Nordic Center after the Games.
  • Members of the Lil'wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Band Councils are given priority in buying -- at standard retail value and any additional regular charges -- tickets before  on sale to general public.
  • VANOC will treat representatives- guests of the Lil'wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh "in a manner befitting their office - no less favorable than comparable representatives of other levels of government."
  • VANOC will consult with the Lil'wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh bands on how sports equipment are to be donated after the Games.
  • Lil'wat and Squamish bands can, if they wish, appoint representatives to Board of Directors of the Society looking after the Whistler-area venues. (Post Olympics)

　

1

Earlier accounts indicated total ownership, yet later accounts indicated co-ownership

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