TORONTO, Sept. 30, 2013 /CNW/ - As the newly appointed chair of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015), I have great confidence in Ian Troop and the management team. Ian has been leading a team that is getting results. On the capital construction program alone, TO2015 is not only on schedule but under budget by more than $50 million and we continue to look for efficiencies.
Ian Troop is running a complex $1.4-billion project that is creating thousands of jobs in the region and that will leave a lasting legacy for local residents, athletes and communities all over the Greater Golden Horseshoe and will make all Ontarians proud.
This is the largest multi-sport event in Canada's history and it has been the catalyst for several major projects including the new residential complex for the athletes' village and the rail link from Pearson Airport. Many third-party observers have reviewed our plans and have said that we are well on our way to our goal of hosting the best Pan Am/Parapan Am Games in history - an event that will showcase Toronto and the entire region like never before.
In terms of expenses, TO2015 followed all the approved policies around expenses and travel. Having said that, I do understand people can interpret these expenses in different ways. The Minister has asked TO2015 to review its policies and tighten them up in places where necessary and Ian and his team took immediate action to review the policy.
Everyone at TO2015 has tremendous respect for taxpayers. We remain committed to transparency and openness. In a project this complex with 10,000 athletes and officials, 20,000 volunteers, and a budget of $1.4 billion dollars, it is inevitable that not everything will go perfectly all of the time and there will be critics. Nevertheless, we are all committed to the vision of making this one of the great events of Toronto and Ontario and leaving a lasting legacy.
Hon. David R. Peterson
Chair, TO2015
SOURCE: Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games
Teddy Katz
Director, media relations and chief spokesperson
TO2015
C: 647.404.5263
[email protected]
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