Letters & Editorials
Ticket to Leveraging the Olympic Legacy
John Winter
The investments in developing and bringing off the Olympic Games are only one part of the process, albeit a very important one. The Games themselves are linked to the opportunities which follow and are equally, if not more important. Consequently, asserting that the governments purchase of Olympic tickets amounts to ‘freeloading’ is disappointing and misleading to the taxpayer.
The Olympics represent a lasting legacy to both the people and economy of BC through construction of venue facilities, infrastructure, and the massive marketing campaign which all host jurisdictions will prosper from. The long-term benefit to the economy comes from our ability to leverage the Games. This is largely archived through relationship building with, and providing education and information to, the visiting business leaders and government officials who will drive future investment and business opportunities for the province.
It is within this context that British Columbians should view the government purchase of tickets for the Olympics.
BC is well positioned to build on our growing role as Gateway to the Asia Pacific. Indeed much of the Provincial Government’s strategy around the 2010 Games is aimed at using the exposure to build on our natural trade advantages. This is not a process that began with the 2010 games; BC has built relationships through venues such as BC-Canada Place in Turin and the BC-Canada Pavilion in Beijing. In fact, BC-Canada Pavilion in Beijing resulted in 690 recorded business connections and 16 signed Memorandums of Understanding. The purchase of Olympic tickets allows government officials and representatives to build on these past accomplishments and to foster new relationships that will create investment, jobs and economic benefits for all British Columbians in the future.
It should also be noted that these tickets will not be used for Ministers to entertain friends or ‘freeloaders’. The use of these tickets is governed by rules that ensure there must be a tangible benefit to the province. Considering the long term implications, the tickets in question need to be used in situations such as relationship building by members of the caucus, no matter what their position.
Before Mr. Smyth criticizes the purchase of these tickets by the government, he should stop to think about what he would say if tickets were not used for these purposes, and we were to see no tangible, lasting benefit from the Olympics. Before anyone condemns the government for the use of public dollars to leverage the Olympic Games in BC’s interests, first consider the consequences of what would happen if they didn’t.
