Boosters & Gainsayers

David Eby, executive director of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association

—"Vancouver's held lots of international events without needing special bylaws that restrict what people can and can't say, or without these disturbance offences. I don't quite understand why the Olympics is so different.'' CTVOlympics.ca, 2009
—"It was really remarkable to see that VANOC eliminated the final form of accountability in Canada, which is accountability to the public through the media. In some ways, it's entirely in keeping with what I feel is the spirit of the Olympics, with is anti-transparent, anti-democratic, non-accountable governance." WestEnder, 2009
—"Looking at the amount of money that's being spent on the Olympics, looking at the public relations that's being done around the token efforts towards dealing with the homeless problem, we feel it's time for some international scrutiny to come to British Columbia and Vancouver about the Downtown Eastside.” Prince George Citizen, 2008

Photo credit: The Blackbird
 

Jack Poole, 2010 Bid Chairman and CEO

—"Can we do as good a job as Salt Lake City? I think we can. It's very simple. This event pays for itself." Hamilton Spectator, 2002
—"For five years, I have dreamt about sharing this news with you... We will not forget this moment for the rest of our lives. Just imagine how it's going to feel in 2010!” Vancouver Board of Trade, 2003
—"There will be a lineup of investors to participate in the financing that the city will require." The Province, 2009

Am Johal, Chair, Impact on Communities Coalition

—"If we can afford security for a three-week party, we can certainly afford to invest in social housing.” Nanaimo Daily News, 2009

—"We think the idea of a socially sustainable bid needs to move from the realm of public relations into reality.” Vancouver Sun, 2008
—"We are probably going to see an increase in the homelessness count when it's done in early March. During the Olympics itself, we're still expecting hundreds of evictions.” The Province, 2008Photo credit: The Blackbird

Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia

—On economic benefit: “If you take what I call the pure Olympics, the IOC definition, it's about $4 billion. If you look at the big number, it's about $10 billion." National Post, 2009
—“Put whatever costs you want in, and I can tell you that the benefits of the Olympics will exceed those costs.” National Post, 2009
—"Oh, we'll make money." National Post, 2009

Photo credit: The Blackbird
 

Sara MacIntyre, Former B.C. Director, Canadian Taxpayers' Federation

—“The brand is basically a monopoly over excellence in amateur sport. And it buys to pit countries against each other. It’s brilliant because it plays on patriotism. When you invoke patriotism there is no bottom line. People don’t ask too many questions about how the Olympics are costing taxpayers.” Documentary: Five Ring Circus
—“Every single set of games since 9/11 have been over promised and under delivered.” Documentary: Five Ring Circus
—“Writing a blank cheque from taxpayers doesn't ensure efficiency from VANOC." National Post, 2006
—"The truth is, when it comes to the Olympics, taxpayers will never know how much the Games will ever cost us.” Winnipeg Free Press, 2006

Tewanee Joseph, Executive Director of the Four Host First Nations

—“The Olympics are providing jobs and development to local aboriginal communities; some living in isolated rural areas recognize the Games as an economic stimulus package helping them during the economic downturn.” National Post, 2009
—“For the first time in Olympic history, we have created a retail merchandising deal that will recognize indigenous art as part of an official Olympic program.” National Post, 2009
—“The numbers speak for themselves. To date more than 100 aboriginal businesses are working on Games related activities for a total of more than $53-million.” National Post, 2009

Chris Shaw, writer

—“One of the most prevalent Olympic myths is that hosting the Olympic Games is good for the economy. In fact, the opposite is true as a variety of studies have shown time and time again.” Olympic Resistance Network
—“While it’s true that limited sectors can do well during the Games operating period, the benefits to these few sectors are vastly outweighed by the overall costs to taxpayers of the infrastructure, Games-related mega projects, and security.” Olympic Resistance Network
—"This Olympic Village situation has been, for many, the last straw. Larry Campbell and others had told us it wouldn't cost us a penny. So, I suppose, technically, they were correct: it's a lot more than a penny. But it was sold to Vancouverites as essentially free." WestEnder, 2009

Photo credit: The Blackbird

Gregor Robertson, Mayor of Vancouver

—"The partnership is a great boost for our efforts to build Vancouver's green economy." Vancouver Sun, 2009

—"This is an unmistakable, one-time opportunity for Metro Vancouver, B.C. and Canada to leverage the world's most powerful global event." The Province, 2009
—“We are in an era where we compete with city-regions around the world, many of whom are well organized and well-armed with resources. However, they don't have the 2010 Winter Olympics.'' Canadian Press, 2009Photo credit: The Blackbird

Gord Hill, Editor of no2010.com

—“Governments use Olympic Games to attract corporate investment. Despite claims that Olympics are not political, they are deeply political with devastating social and ecological impacts that cannot simply be ignored.” Olympic Resistance Network
—"The Olympics have a long history of association with fascists, colonialists and authoritarian regimes... Since the 1980s they've displaced over three million people and contributed to massive increases in homelessness, as we've seen in Vancouver." Winnipeg Free Press, 2010
—“It is a multi-billion-dollar industry run by an elite clique who sell the five rings to the highest bidder, using sports as a commodity and a platform for corporate advertising.” Georgia Straight, 2009

Photo credit: The Blackbird