A consortium of First Nations and municipalities will together explore the possibility of hosting the 2030 Winter Olympics.
Lilwat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh nations, alongside City of Vancouver and Resort Municipality of Whistler, announced a Memorandum of Understanding Friday (Dec. 10), which will see collaboration with the Canadian Olympic and Canadian Paralympic committees and other stakeholders to examine the effects and benefits of hosting another winter games, stated a press release.
The memorandum will see creation of a B次元官网网址淗ost Nations Exploratory Assembly for the consideration of a 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games bid,B次元官网网址� the statement said. The assembly will work with the committees to look into how feasible B次元官网网址�2030 Games concepts for the regionB次元官网网址� are and will all in the group reviewing.
B次元官网网址淭he feasibility analysis will focus on collective benefits and priorities, and on how the bidding process can set frameworks for government partnerships.B次元官网网址�
Vancouver and Whistler previously were the site of the 2010 Winter Games and while there was First Nations involvement, many leaders said it was lacking. The memorandum is a step in reconciliation, they said at the announcement at the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame in Vancouver.
B次元官网网址淭he difference between 2010, was we were an invitee at that time and today, we are a big part of the exploratory group B次元官网网址� politically, presently, I feel we have a greater presence and a voice on our lands,B次元官网网址� Chief Dean Nelson, of Lilwat First Nation. B次元官网网址淚 also feel we are in a better place of inclusion in respect to political advancements, since previous Olympics. ThatB次元官网网址檚 why IB次元官网网址檓 looking forward to be part of this.B次元官网网址�
Kennedy Stewart, Vancouver mayor, said steps to examine a 2030 bid are much different than the situation in 2010.
B次元官网网址淲here the 2010 games included Indigenous representation, the 2030 games cannot proceed without the free, prior and informed consent of these four nations B次元官网网址� that is what the City of Vancouver is doing today with the signing of this historic MOU, [one] which at its core is four nations inviting two municipalities to explore hosting the 2030 Games on their territories,B次元官网网址� Stewart said.
When asked about how the games would be funded, Stewart said it would be discussed as the process progresses, and that he has discussed the matter with the federal and provincial ministers.
B次元官网网址淟ike the last Olympic and Paralympic games, those costs will be spread across the various organizations B次元官网网址� the benefit of having it in this region, of course, we already have many facilities that are all ready to go, as opposed to another city, where theyB次元官网网址檇 have to build everything from scratch.B次元官网网址� Stewart said.
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