THE 2010 WINTER OLYMPICS - Community, Student, and Campus Impacts
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THE 2010 WINTER OLYMPICS
Community, Student, and Campus Impacts
1THE ALMA MATER SOCIETY OF UBC
THE 2010 WINTER OLYMPICS
The Alma Mater Society of UBC is the student society of UBC. Our mission statement is “to improve the
quality of the educational, social, and personal lives of the students at UBC.”
The Alma Mater Society will promote high quality student learning. It will advocate student interests, as well
as those of the University of British Columbia and post‐secondary education as a whole. The society will
provide its members with diverse opportunities to become exceptional leaders. It wil be flexible enough to
accommodate the changing world. The AMS’ priorities will be determined by its members. The Society will
foster communication, both internally and externally, in order to be democratic, fair, accountable, and
accessible to its members. It will provide services students want and can use. It will cultivate unity and
goodwill among its members, but will also encourage free and open debate, as well as respect for differing
views. It will solve problems constructively.
The AMS represents the more than 44 000 UBC‐Vancouver students and operates students services, student
owned businesses, resource groups, and clubs.
This Report was prepared by the 2008‐9 AMS External Policy Committee, and we would like to extend our
thanks to all those who patiently answered our questions:
Blake Frederick, AMS Associate Vice President, External
Stefanie Ratjen, AMS Vice President, External
Tahara Bhate, AMS Councilor
Rupi Cheema, Member at Large
Dusty Chipura, Member at Large
Tim Chu, AMS Councilor
Morghain Gibbons, Member at Large
Rob McLean, AMS Councilor
Joel Mertens, AMS Councilor
Adrienne Smith, AMS Policy Advisor
Additional contributions were made by 2008‐09 AMS Councilors:
Avneet Johal
Guillaume Houle
Alma Mater Society of UBC
6138 SUB Boulevard • Vancouver, BC • V6T 1Z1
Phone 604.822.2050 • Fax 604.822.9019
www.ams.ubc.ca
2TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ……………………………………………………………….. 4
History ………………………………………………………………………. 6
Expo ’86 …………………………………………………………… 6
Calgary…………………………………………………………….. 7
Montreal …...…………………………………………………….. 8
Salt Lake City ……………………………………………………. 8
Beijing …………………………………………………………….. 9
Housing ……………………………………………………………………… 11
Transportation …………………………………………………………….. 13
Environment ……………………………………………………………….. 15
Security and Civil Liberties …………………………………………….. 18
Finances and the Economy…………………………………………….. 20
UBC Context ……………………………………………………………….. 22
Recommendations……………………………………………………….. 25
3INTRODUCTION
At the July 30th, 2008 meeting of AMS Council, Councilors briefly discussed the broad implications of
Vancouver hosting the 2010 Olympic Games as well as UBC’s participation in the Games primarily through
the use of the Thunderbird Winter Sports Arena as an Olympic venue. AMS Council decided that the
discussion would be more productive if they were first provided with some background information on the
impacts of the Olympics in general. The AMS External Policy Committee was charged with the responsibility
of providing a brief synopsis.
Since the 2010 Olympics is such a broad issue, the committee decided to section its discussion by looking
separately at the impacts of the Olympics on a number of key areas including Security and Civil Liberties,
Housing, Transportation, Environment, Finances and the Economy, and the UBC Context. We also decided to
include a History section to provide some insight about the historical effects of hosting a major international
event.
The committee discussed at length the appropriateness of recommending a motion to Council based in our
findings. In the end, we decided that while a motion simply condoning or supporting the Olympics in general
would be ineffective and unnecessary. We did, however, identify a number of positive actions that should be
undertaken to address some of the concerns specific to the UBC campus outlined in the report.
First, the VP External, AVP External, and the External Policy Committee have serious concerns with UBC’s
failure to consult with the AMS when making Olympics related decisions that affect students. According to
AMS records, the University consulted with the AMS originally back in 2002 when the decision was made
whether or not to build a host venue on campus. It appears that there has been no consultation on decisions
made since then. It has only been just recently, in October 2008, that the AMS has been offered
representation some of the UBC Olympics committees. With large scale impacts prepared to affect the
campus, such as the closure of Wesbrook Mall for up to four months, it is necessary that students be
consulted.
The External Policy Committee therefore recommends that Council adopt a policy stating
the AMS’s dissatisfaction with UBC’s lack of consultation with students regarding the
Olympics.
Second, given the wide scale impacts of the Olympics on students during the Olympics and UBC’s failure to
properly consult with students, the committee believes that further to the AMS expressing dissatisfaction, we
should also proactively lobby the University and VANOC to prevent any potential problems and concerns.
Consultation with students is a broader issue than just the Olympics on campus, but the University’s failure to
meet its responsibility of consultation with students on this issue is yet another example of a larger problem.
. External Policy Committee therefore recommends that the AMS strongly pressure UBC
The
and VANOC to consult with students meaningfully on all decisions that cause wide scale
impacts on the campus. This entails transparency in how and what decisions are made.
Third, the committee believes that there is value in educating students about the impacts of the Olympics on
campus. For example, since a major transit route into campus will be shut down for the duration of the
Olympic period, it is imperative that students informed in advance so that they can minimize the shock they
will experience as a result of transportation changes. Another example is that the exam period in the 2009‐
2010 academic year has been extended to May 1st, which may cause some concern for students living off
campus with leases ending April 30th.
4The External Policy Committee therefore recommends that the AMS undertake an
awareness campaign and support other UBC student initiatives that inform students of the
impacts that the Olympics will have on the campus and Vancouver‐area before, during, and
after the Games.
5HISTORY
Expo ‘86
Expo ’86 was a major international fair held in the False Creek area of Vancouver from May to October 1986.
It attracted over 25 country pavilions and prominent leaders such as Prince Charles, Princess Diana, Brian
Mulroney, Margaret Thatcher, Pierre Trudeau, and George Bush. The event was seen as a success acted as a
catalyst for a number of Vancouver developments including Science World, SkyTrain, Canada Place, Plaza of
Nations, and BC Place.
Expo ’86 took place during a major recession in British Columbia and Vancouver when resource industries
were being negatively impacted by global restructuring processes.1 Expo ’86 was promoted as an economic
stimulus project, with increased job prospects coming as a result of construction and tourism opportunities,
as well as demonstrating to the world potential investment opportunities in various sectors of the economy,
including real estate.2 As noted in The Expo ’86 General Report, ‘It was imperative that this exposition
transcend the reality of a troubled decade.’3
One of the major social impacts of Expo ’86 was the loss of low‐cost housing.4 Many run‐down local hotels
attempted to cash in on the tourism boom by evicting long‐time residents. This was especially prevalent in
the Downtown Eastside. Another problem was the construction of SkyTrain, which led to the development of
condos all around the SkyTrain stations. This change drastically increased the value of real estate along the
line.
The financial impact of hosting Expo ’86 was significant. Expo ‘86 incurred cost over‐runs of approximately
$311 million dollars (estimated budget was originally $800 million – 39% over‐run).5 There were certain cost
recovery methods introduced after the event.6 Condominiums were developed in the area, which provided
for an increase in housing albeit not for low income persons. In addition, a 30 year urban housing plan was
implemented after the event. Then‐BC Premier William Vander Zalm was involved in a scandal for selling the
event location of Concord Pacific for a fraction of the original cost.7
The area known as False Creek was promoted as an environmental success. Prior to the Expo ‘86, the area
was polluted by the industrial zone.8 As a result of the event, pollution was cleaned up to levels where it was
almost acceptable to swim in. Since the area was an industrial zone to begin with, there was no significant
loss of green space.
1
Olds, Kris. (1998). Urban Mega‐Events, Evictions and Housing Rights: The Canadian Case. Current Issues in
Tourism. 1:1. Page 6.
2
Ley, D. and Olds, K. (1988) Landscape as spectacle: World’s Fairs and the culture of heroic consumption.
Environment and Planning D: Society and Space 6 (2), 191–212.
3
Government of Canada (1986) “The Expo ’86 General Report.” Ottawa: Department of External Affairs. 75.
4
Olds, 1998: 8.
5
“Expo ’86‐ History.” Expo ’86 website.
Available at: http://www.geocities.com/exposcruff/history/history.html
Last date Accessed: January 21, 2009.
6
Ibid.
7
Canadian Press. (April 6, 2008). “Experts split on how to prevent political scandals.” Ctvnews.ca.
Available at:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080406/politics_scandals_080406?s_nam
e=&no_ads
Date last accessed: January 25, 2009.
8
Ibid.
6At first, a First Nations Pavilion was on the agenda however, because of conflicts between what the
government wanted in the pavilion and what the First Nations groups wanted in the pavilion, the First
Nations pavilion was never carried through.9
1988 Calgary Winter Olympics
“Everything is perfect!” were the words of an IOC member describing the event and the 1988 Calgary Winter
Olympics are widely regarded as the first financially successful Olympic Games of the modern era, even
turning a profit.10 The profit led to an endowment fund that is now worth $185 million and the province
generated 27,400 person‐years of employment.11
It should be noted that a 1999 Toronto Star article, whilst recognizing the profit reported in the official audit,
claims that due to provincial and federal operating subsidies plus the cost of building most facilities the
Olympic Games made a financial loss.12
According to a report commissioned by the VANOC, the 1988 Games contributed greatly to the development
and progress of the University of Calgary. The Olympic Oval Endowment Fund, held by the University, has
supported graduate students in their work and provides $100,000 each year for sport science and medicine.13
The University’s Faculty of Kinesiology (in 1988 the Faculty of Physical Education) received $30 million of
funding from the provincial government for facilities and its Human Performance Laboratory and Sport
Medicine Centre is now considered one of the best in the world.14
The stadium housing the University’s football team received an $8 million upgrade and the Government of
Alberta extended residence halls, which will result in reasonable rents for years to come for students,
according to the former Olympic Games project coordinator for the University.15 The former project
coordinator adds that the University now has a number of first‐class facilities that would probably not have
been built without the Games.16
There were many significant transportation improvements in and around Calgary, but a more important
legacy of the Games is the facilities. All of the facilities are still being used for their original intended purpose
and well over 200 national and international sporting competitions were held in the Calgary area between
1987 and 2004 – most of them using Olympic facilities.17
9
“Expo ’86‐ Upsets.” Expo ’86 Website.
Available at: http://www.geocities.com/exposcruff/history/upsets.html
Date last accessed: January 24, 2009
10
“The Winter of ’88: Calgary’s Olympic Games” CBC Digital Archives
Available at: http://archives.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/topics/1322/
Date last accessed: February 6, 2009
11
Zimmerman, Kate. “Legacies of North American Winter Games – Volume 2: Calgary 1988.” Vancouver
Olympic Organizing Committee.
Available at: http://www.vancouver2010.com/dl/00/37/51/‐/37516/prop=data/18xzgb5/37516.pdf
12
Walkom, Thomas. (February 8, 1999). “The Olympic Myth of Calgary: Making Money” Toronto Star.
13
Zimmerman, Kate. “Legacies of North American Winter Games – Volume 2: Calgary 1988.” Vancouver
Olympic Organizing Committee.
Available at: http://www.vancouver2010.com/dl/00/37/51/‐/37516/prop=data/18xzgb5/37516.pdf
14
Ibid.
15
Tewnion, John. (1993). “The University of Calgary and the XV Olympic Winter Games.” University of Calgary.
16
Ibid.
17
Zimmerman, Kate. “Legacies of North American Winter Games – Volume 2: Calgary 1988. ” Vancouver
Olympic Organizing Committee.
Available at: http://www.vancouver2010.com/dl/00/37/51/‐/37516/prop=data/18xzgb5/37516.pdf
7The 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics have proven to be the inspiration for much Canadian sporting success that
has followed. More than three‐quarters of the medal winners at the 2006 Torino Games were Albertan or had
experience training at legacy facilities, 18 and many directly attribute their sporting involvement and success
to the 1988 Calgary Olympic Games.19
1976 Montreal Summer Olympics
In 1976, Montreal hosted the 1976 Summer Olympics amidst a flurry of global protests. More than 20
countries boycotted the Games in Montreal due to the International Olympic Committee’s refusal to ban New
Zealand, whose All Blacks rugby team had toured in South Africa in defiance of United Nations' calls for a
sporting embargo during a period of apartheid.20
Not unlike the current situation in Vancouver, the anticipation of the Olympics in Montreal caused a massive
increase of visitors to the city, which contributed to skyrocketing rental costs. Landlords, eager to profit from
increasing property value created a minor housing crisis. The Ligue des droits de l'homme estimated that
there was a shortage of 25,000 housing units during the Olympics.21
There has been much speculation with regards to the economic benefits that the 2010 Olympics will bring to
Vancouver. Financially, the Montreal Olympics are regarded by most to have been a complete failure. The
Games were funded almost entirely through public city funds. The large amounts of money spent on
infrastructure improvements and facilities construction were focused on a relatively small part of the city.
After the 1976 Olympics, the City of Montreal was over $1.5 billion in debt.22 It was not until 2006 that
Quebecers finished paying off the debt incurred from the construction of the stadium, the Olympic village, a
post‐modern apartment building complex, a sports recreation complex, outdoor facilities, parking and the
Vélodrome.23
2002 Salt Lake City Olympics
The Salt Lake City Olympics were held only a few months after the 9/11 attacks on New York City. At the
time, the US economy was still in a recession and air travelling was still seen as risky because of the attacks24.
Hosting Winter Olympic Games has been promoted as an opportunity to showcase a host city at a lower cost
18
Ibid.
19
Cameron, Allen. (January 15, 2009). "Calgary '88: A Lasting Legacy" Vancouver Sun.
20
“The Montreal Olympics boycott.” New Zealand History online.
Available at: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/montreal‐olympics‐boycott
Date last accessed: January 24, 2009
21
“Montreal Olympics.” Canada’s Rights Movement: A History
Available at: http://www.historyofrights.com/events/olympics.html
Date last accessed: January 24, 2009
22
“Olympic Games: Cash Cow or Money Pit?” Deutsche Welle.
Available at: http://www.dw‐world.de/dw/article/0,,1296472,00.html?mpb=en
Date last accessed: January 25, 2009.
23
“Quebec's Big Owe stadium debt is over.” CBC News.
Available at: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2006/12/19/qc‐olympicstadium.html
Date last accessed: January 25, 2009.
1,3,4
VANOC. “Lasting Legacies‐ Salt Lake.” Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee.
Available online at:
http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/about‐vanoc/organizing‐committee/public‐
communications/reports/lasting‐legacies‐salt‐lake/‐/31048/33492/1f8fz49/legacies‐of‐north‐
american‐win.html
Date last accessed: February 6, 2009.
8than by hosting the summer games,25 and the Salt Lake City Olympics is recorded as turning $100 million26 in
profit.
This profit was, however, a result of significant structural changes in the organization of the Games in 1999,
when Mitt Romney was appointed the CEO of the Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee. At the time, the
Games were set to incur a deficit of $379 million, and Romney relied heavily on corporate sponsorship to
offset the cost of the Games.27
Sustainable development has been a growing humanitarian concern for large scale events put on around the
world, and Salt Lake City did not overlook this aspect of the Games. Indeed, according to the Salt Lake City
Olympic committee’s final report, the 2002 games permanently removed more than 243,840 metric tons of
pollutants from Utah, the United States and Canada.28 This was the first international world class event to
eliminate their climate impact by securing offset donations sufficient to be certified Climate Cool™29 by the
Climate Neutral Network.
2008 Beijing Summer Olympics
The 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics was the first Olympics Games ever hosted by China and was seen by
many as a chance for the international community to get a glimpse into the current state of this rising power.
The Games were generally accepted as a logistical success, but nonetheless caused a large number of
controversies over free media access, Tibetan independence, human rights violations, air pollution, etc.
In anticipation of the Olympics, Beijing’s transit system was significantly expanded.30 A new airport terminal
was installed to accommodate the increase of tourists and an additional 7 lines and 80 stations to the
previously existing 4 lines and 64 stations, including a new link connecting directly the city's airport. In
addition, inter‐city transit was created to link Beijing and Tianjin by railway.
Much of the concern that came from China hosting the Olympics was the freedom of speech oppression
practiced by the government. Protest zones were created to allow free protests during the Olympic Games,
however, of the 77 that applied to protest none were approved.31 According to the Washington Post, there
27
Hohler, Bob. (June 28, 2007). “The Making of Mitt Romney‐ part 5.” The Boston Globe.
Available online at:
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/specials/romney/articles/part5_main/
Date Last Accessed: February 7, 2009
29
“Olympic Winter Games of 2002, Norm Thompson and Bonneville Environmental
Foundation Fight Global Warming by Going Climate Cool.” (January 31, 2002). Climate Neutral
Network.
Available online at: http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi‐
bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/01‐31‐2002/0001659718&EDATE=
Date last Accessed: February 6, 2009
30
“38 public transit routes to the Olympic venues.” (Jan 22, 2008) The Beijing Organizing Committee for the
Games of the XXIX Olympiad.
Available at: http://en.beijing2008.cn/05/25/article214012505.shtml
Date last Accessed: January 24, 2009
31
Jacobs, Andrew. (August 18. 2008). “China Stifles Protest During Olympics.” International Herald Tribune
Online.
Available at: http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/08/18/asia/protest.php
Date last Accessed: December 18, 2008
9were two disabled elders who applied over 5 times to protest but were eventually sentenced to “re‐education
in labour camps”.32
As was the case with Expo ’86, housing was a major issue surrounding the 2008 Olympics. The Geneva‐based
group, Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions claims that because of the Olympic Games in Beijing, over 1.5
million people were displaced and forcibly evicted.33 Many seniors were evicted and negligible compensation
was given to those displaced. At the same time, speculation on housing caused a frenzy of middle‐class
people purchasing housing.
To satisfy environmental concerns, China promised to have measurements of certain airborne particles
lowered to WHO standards by 2008 (promised made during bidding time). However, levels have increased
from 2001 to 2006. A car‐reduction system was implemented and as a result, many factories were relocated.
The Chinese government promised to improve their human rights record because of the Olympic Games.
Unfortunately, there are still restrictions on freedom of expression and foreign journalists as to what they can
report. In addition, censors continue to persist on the internet and SMS text‐messaging. As a tactic, Chinese
authorities linked peaceful activists with alleged terrorists and subsequently persecuted them.
The social, economic, and financial legacies of Expo ’86, and Olympic Games hosted in
Calgary, Montreal, Salt Lake City, and Beijing, offer insight into the impacts that major
international events can have on a city’s population. The benefits, if any, of hosting
mega‐events remain open to much debate.
32
Cha, Ariana Eunjun. (August 21, 2008). “Protest Application Brings Labor Camp threat.” Washington Post
Foreign Service. A10.
Available at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2008/08/20/AR2008082001095.html
Date last accessed: December 18, 2008.
33
COHRE. (December 5, 2007). “Violator Award ‐ Beijing Municipality / BOCOG.” Centre on Housing Rights
and Evictions.
Available at: http://www.cohre.org/view_page.php?page_id=278
Date last accessed: January 25, 2009
10HOUSING
The increase of development in Vancouver due to the coming Olympics is causing many older buildings that
provide housing to be torn down for more profitable endeavours. The PIVOT legal society notes that “low‐
income housing in Vancouver is not being preserved, and is being lost at a rate of one room every other day”,
and that “[single‐room occupancy] buildings are being destroyed or converted to tourist use at a rate four
times higher than that expected by city council.” 34 As a result, there are at least 2,300 street homeless in
Vancouver, up 78 per cent from the last homelessness count in 2005, which itself was up 171 per cent from
2002’s count.35 Although there are counts of 2300 homeless persons documented, there are only 746
emergency shelter spaces in Vancouver.
Much of the existing housing stock has been or is being converted into either high‐cost condominiums
available for purchase (but not for renting) or commercial businesses such as boutique hotels. Many older
houses and neighbourhoods, which house low and middle income family as well as serving as communal
housing for students, is being converted into these types of condominiums. The average cost of purchasing a
new one‐bedroom apartment ranges from $300,000‐400,000. This results in more housing opportunities for
Vancouver‐area residents with high incomes. It also results in less housing opportunities for Vancouver‐area
residents with middle and low incomes. As a result, many Vancouver‐area residents, students and non‐
students alike, find the search for housing more and more difficult, or find themselves living in more outlying
areas, such as Burnaby, Richmond and Port Coquitlam.
A less obvious but equally important side effect of the increasing costs of living and decreasing availability of
affordable housing is the increased potential for rental discrimination. Although tenants legally have rights to
protect them under the Residential Tenancy Act, many landlords find ways around these in order to evict
undesirable tenants or raise rents. One means of doing this is by renovating the building, forcing the tenants
to move out and then charging a higher price for the unit afterward.36 This is happening increasingly in
Vancouver, forcing low‐income tenants who cannot afford the new rent price to move out.
Low vacancy rates in Vancouver have resulted in an environment in which a landlord who has a property to
rent has more than enough potential tenants to choose from. A student may find it difficult to secure a rental
property as many landlords may prefer working tenants. Students are at a disadvantage due to their
transiency (sometimes only living in Vancouver during the school year), their age (often in their twenties or
even younger), and their income (often only from student loans, and sometimes unable to take a part time
job due to class schedules). Landlords are also able to make more profit off poor quality housing and many
Vancouverites find themselves afflicted with issues such as bedbugs, black mould, cockroaches and break‐ins.
According to an article on CBC.ca posted in 2007, “The infestations are spreading from Vancouver's troubled
neighbourhood to the city's residential areas.”37 With the cheapest housing available in Vancouver's
34
“Canadian Cities Housing & Real Estate Data Site‐ Vancouver Vacancy Rate.” (2008). UBC Centre for Urban
Economics and Real Estate.
Available at: http://cuer.sauder.ubc.ca/cma/data/Vacancy/vac‐vancouver.pdf
Date last accessed: January 23, 2009
35
Eby, David. (February 7, 2008)“The Olympics, Housing and Homelessness in Vancouver.” Canadian Centre
for Policy Alternatives‐ editorial.
Available at: http://www.policyalternatives.ca/editorials/2008/02/editorial1862/?pa=F2ED34D4
Date last accessed: January 24, 2009
36
Bellet, Gerry. And Chantal Eustace. (April 16, 2008). “West End landlord accused of evicting tenants to raise
rents.” The Vancouver Sun.
Available at: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=c8723fdb‐
4bca‐4865‐ab79‐30ed62d27330
Date last accessed: January 13, 2009
37
CBC News. (June 27, 2007). “Bedbugs Spreading Across Vancouver.” CBC News.
11Downtown East Side, many lower and even middle income residents are not able to afford to move to a
cleaner, safer home.
For its Olympics, Athens created 2,300 units for low‐income families from the Athletes’ Village. Vancouver is
not guaranteeing any units affordable to those on welfare in our Athletes’ Village after the Games. London
2012 is spending approximately $3.5 billion on improving living conditions for the poor in its inner city as part
of its Olympic work, including 4,500 brand new low‐income housing units in addition to existing social
housing commitments.38
The economic processes around the Olympic Games work to increase real estate and
property values in Vancouver. In the context of Vancouver’s already inflated housing
market, this has contributed to extremely low vacancy rates. This disadvantages
renters, of which many are students, in finding quality affordable housing.
Available at: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british‐columbia/story/2007/06/27/bc‐bedbugs.html
Date last accessed: January 24, 2009
38
Ibid.
12TRANSPORTATION
Much of the information about Vancouver‐area transportation routes throughout the Olympic time frame is
only now being revealed to the public. As such, information about VANOC’s plans with regard to
transportation and transit service is very scarce.
During the Olympics and Paralympics period, the Vancouver‐area is expected to see a strong influx of visitors.
In addition to an already stressed transit service system, any increase in the number of visitors will impacts
transit service levels and transit resource allocation. All Games ticket holders will get free transit service to
Olympic venues, which is expected to create an increased demand for Olympic‐area routes..39 However, there
has been minimal public information available as to how this increased demand will be accommodated.
Prominent concerns that have been raised in the media are the availability of non‐Olympic transit routes, and
roadways, such as the usage of HOV lanes, the availability of parking, and potential bus route alterations.40
There have been recommendations for Olympic Games organizers to stagger business hours, as well as close
schools, throughout the duration of the Olympic Games.41 This could work to alleviate pressure on regular
transit service, with transit resources being reallocated for Olympic Games purposes. There are concerns,
however, that the staggering of business hours, as well as reallocation of transit service resources, will
negatively impact the daily lives of Vancouver residents, such as the ability for people to access their places of
employment, education, and/or recreation.
The increased presence of transit security before and during the Olympics has raised further concerns. The
costs of security, such as the proposal to install turnstiles for transit stations, are to come out of Translink’s
operating budget. This is significant as Translink is projecting an operating deficit over the next few years.42
There are also suggestions that random screenings of passengers will be conducted on transit during the
Olympic period.43 Passengers could be denied access to transit services if they refuse to allow their
person/baggage to be searched by security officers. This raises concerns over the constitutional rights of
passengers from unlawful searches by non‐government employees and racial profiling.
The current Olympic Transportation map can be found here:
http://olympichostcity.vancouver.ca/pdf/Host%20City%20Olympic%20Transportation%20Concept%20Plan
%20Maps.pdf
39
Hogben, David. (September 30, 2008) “TransLink Olympic costs 'covered.’” The Vancouver Sun.
Available at: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=98a9b596‐
53ec‐4d21‐88fd‐2b5e89d8b902
Date last accessed: January 19, 2009
40
Canadian Press. (November 25, 2008). Vancouver unveils traffic changes for 2010 Olympics. The Vancouver
Sun.
Available at: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british‐columbia/story/2008/11/25/bc‐vancouver‐traffic‐
2010.html
Date last accessed: January 25, 2009
41
CBC News. (October 18, 2007). “Use transit, adjust work hours for 2010 Olympics: committee.” CBC News.
Available at: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british‐columbia/story/2007/10/17/bc‐olympic.html
Date last accessed: January 25, 2009
42
Loy, Irwin. (October 9, 2008) “TransLink deficit could grow to $500 million a year by 2012.” The Tyee.
Available at: http://thetyee.ca/Blogs/TheHook/Transportation/2008/10/09/TranslinkDeficit/
Date last accessed: January 24, 2009
43
Keast, Gordon. (August 13, 2008). “Tighter Transit Security Needed Now.” The Vancouver Sun.
Available online at: http://noii‐van.resist.ca/?p=844
Date last accessed: January 25, 2009
13There has been little public information released on how transportation routes in
Vancouver will be impacted. Transit services will be reallocated in order to support
an increased demand for Olympic‐related activities. Concerns about how this will
impact the daily lives of Vancouver‐area residents have yet to be adequately
addressed.
14ENVIRONMENT
“One of the reasons Vancouver won [the Olympic bid] was because we pitched that we'd be the greenest
Olympics ever," says Boyd Cohen, from Simon Fraser University's Center for Sustainable Community
Development.44
In its May 2007 Report Card on the 2010 Olympics, the Impacts On Communities Coalition (IOCC), an
independent, non‐partisan and community‐based coalition, expresses several environmental concerns:
1. The organizers have not put sufficient resources or planning into meeting their sustainability
commitments;
2. The organizers have preferred less‐sustainable methods of transportation despite bid promises to
ensure sustainability.
3. The organizers are building environmental legacy projects that have the potential to degrade, rather
than enhance, the environment. Years until the Games, a number of Bid Book Commitments have
yet to be addressed at all, and access to information regarding those being acted upon is minimal.
The authors raised with VANOC that such lack of transparency not only results in controversy, but
further exacerbates mistrust in VANOC processes, and compromises the ability of an independent
third party to conduct a sustainability audit, leading to a potential breach.45
Green Buildings
"Environmentally we've put a major focus on any of the buildings that are being built," says Linda Coady, Vice
President of Sustainability for VANOC, which will cost more than $2 billion Canadian in total.46 Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold will be used as the standard for all new facilities.47 LEED Gold,
however, is no longer considered a high green building standard. Technology and expertise is readily
available to significantly improve the environmental performance of buildings beyond LEED Gold past
platinum to Living Buildings that are regenerative.
Methane Gas
The Olympic and Paralympic Village in Whistler will reuse captured methane gas from a former landfill for
energy and the primary heat source for the community will be waste heat recovered from the municipal
wastewater treatment system.48 This is a great use of an existing waste product, but care must be taken to
avoid creating a market and infrastructure that requires continued production of this waste.
Waste Management
VANOC plans to pursue a zero solid waste management strategy during the Games. The program will focus
on reduction, reuse, recycling and rethinking. Concepts for leading‐edge technology and practices to
minimize the volume of liquid waste introduced into the existing systems will be used for venue and village
designs.49
44
Casselman, Anne. (August 4, 2008). “Highway of Good Intentions? Vancouver Olympic Plans Bulldoze
Rare Forests.” Scientific American.
Available at: www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=highway‐of‐good‐intentions
Date last accessed: January 24, 2009
45
IOCC. (May 2007). “Olympic Oversight Interim Report Card.” Impact on Communities Coalition.
Available at: http://intraspec.ca/IOCCreport.pdf
46
Casselman, Anne. (August 4, 2008). “Vancouver's Green Efforts for the 2010 Winter Games.” Scientific
American.
Available at: http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=vancouvers‐green‐efforts
Date last accessed: January 24, 2009
47
Ibid.
48
Ibid.
49
“Waste Management.” (2008). Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic
Games.
15Packaging
Suppliers and sponsors are requested to meet packaging standards to reduce waste, minimize hazardous
materials and ensure that residuals are reusable, recyclable or biodegradable.50 This is not required, however,
and there is no evidence of implementation.
Carbon Emissions
Vancouver Olympic organizers partly funded the report released by the [David Suzuki] foundation that says
the Games could be carbon neutral, despite an estimate they will pump more than 328,000 tonnes of
pollution into the air.51
The Games will create an estimated carbon footprint of three megatons of emissions. This amount is 5% of
the emissions for British Columbia for one year. VANOC’s sustainability report did not even mention the
carbon footprint. The report talks about recycling, when the biggest problem is really the carbon footprint.52
Construction is not included in these figures, and the industry is a huge carbon emitter.
Sea to Sky Highway and Hydrogen
Sea‐to‐Sky Highway is part of British Columbia's Hydrogen Highway that will showcase hydrogen and fuel
cell technology for visitors and motorists. The province spent about $89 million on twenty hydrogen buses
and hydrogen infrastructure for Whistler that will ferry Olympics visitors around in 2010.53
Eagleridge Bluffs and Sea to Sky Highway
The Sea to Sky Highway is a new four‐lane highway through Eagle Ridge bluffs and the woods behind. This
stretch of nearly two miles (three kilometers) is home to the vulnerable, blue‐listed red‐legged frog, the rare
coastal bluffs arbutus ecosystem, a mature Douglas fir stand, and flanks the Larsen creek wetlands.
Opponents of the highway re‐route wanted to bore a tunnel under the mountain and leave the area intact.
Despite a three‐year campaign to save the bluffs, which saw about two dozen protesters arrested, the
highway re‐route went ahead. The multilane highway disrupts important dispersal processes for wildlife
populations, says Diane Srivastava, an ecologist at the University of British Columbia. "So there will probably
be a long but inevitable walk to local extinction for those species." "We know the strongest predictor of
species loss is habitat loss," says Arne Mooers, a biodiversity biologist at Simon Fraser University. "The whole
place has been ecologically damaged beyond repair."54
Ski Trails
The Parties are developing a series of Nordic ski trails in the Callaghan Valley, a previously pristine wilderness
Available at: http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/sustainability‐and‐br‐aboriginal‐pa/environmental‐
stewardship‐and‐brimp/waste‐management/‐/32012/1uirb3u/index.html
Date last accessed: January 24, 2009
50
Ibid.
51
Canadian Press. (January 31, 2009). “Vancouver organizers aim for carbon‐neutral 2010 Olympic Games.”
Daily Commercial News and Construction Record.
Available at: http://www.dailycommercialnews.com/article/id26223
Date last accessed: January 24, 2009.
52
Kwan, Brenda. October 3, 2007. “A Sustainable 2010 Olympics? Report on a Public Forum.” Impact on
Community Coalition.
Available at: http://iocc.ca/documents/2007‐10‐03_IOCCReportOnPublicForum.pdf
Date last accessed: December 10, 2008
53
Casselman, Anne. (August 4th, 2008). “Vancouver’s Green Efforts for the 2010 Winter Games.” Scientific
American.
Available at: http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=vancouvers‐green‐efforts
Date last accessed: January 24, 2009
54
Casselman, Anne. (August 4, 2008). “Highway of Good Intentions? Vancouver Olympic Plans Bulldoze Rare
Forests.” Scientific American.
Available at: www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=highway‐of‐good‐intentions
Date last accessed: January 24, 2009
16area, for the cross country ski events. 16 kilometres of trails are intended for competition, and 20 to 25
kilometres are intended for family and recreational use following the Games as a legacy. Recently, an
organization called aware, the Association of Whistler Area Residents for the Environment, expressed
concerns about the plan, such as the effect of the plan on grizzly habitat in the area, the level of
environmental assessment done for the trails, and the proposed width of trails, which are being reported at
anywhere between 4 metres and 20 metres wide. 55
The 2010 Olympics made many environmental promises that were a key factor to
the bid acceptance. However, the fulfillment of these promises has been highly
inadequate. VANOC's latest report card on its own sustainability practices shows
progress on several commitments, but suggests that with less than a year of Games
planning ahead, there is much to be done to uphold VANOC’s own environmental
committments. The potential to leave a lasting positive impact on the environment
with all of the construction that is taking place has not been utilized; it will not
improve Vancouver’s environmental sustainability in the future. The efforts of
London 2012 are far ahead of Vancouver’s lackluster attempt.
55
Ryan, Paul (ed). (May 2007). “Olympic Oversight interim report card 2010 Olympic Games.” Impact of the
Olympics on Community Coalition).
Available at: http://www.iocc.ca/documents/2007‐05‐07_OlympicReportCard.pdf
17SECURITY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES
There have been previously noted cases of attempting to confine protestors and individuals to specific areas
of the city (ie: as was seen at the flag illumination ceremony). This attempt to remove the protestors from the
public lines of sight and sound does in fact contravene on an individuals’ right to freedom of expression.
Consequently, there are well founded fears that protests will be limited to certain areas of the city (as was
seen in Beijing), but as of yet there has been no comment from VANOC on this possibility.
There is also concern that the judicial system will be overzealously employed as a means of controlling non‐
violent acts of civil disobedience, as was witnessed in the Eagleridge Bluffs protests. The right to protest in a
non‐violent manner should be protected and a framework developed for dealing with such occurrences
during the Games without resorting to criminal proceedings. In addition, there has also been a marked
willingness to criminalize the individuals at these protests (ie: at the unveiling of the countdown clock and the
flag illumination ceremony). This entailed the equation by public officials of criminal acts with legal protests
and the accusation by police officers of criminal wrongdoing on the part of the protesters, when in fact no
wrongdoing was documented.
There have been several attempts to limit groups representing marginalized members of society from the
Olympic dialogue, contrary to Inner City Inclusivity (ICI) commitments agreed to by VANOC. Specifically,
members of the Pivot Legal Society were barred from participating in the Olympic housing sectoral table.
The ban was subsequently rescinded, but the city currently maintains a prohibition on contact between Pivot
Legal Society members and city staff.
Several attempts to interfere with the activities of advocacy groups that oppose the 2010 Olympics have
been recorded. The most prominent example of is the denial of funding to the Downtown Eastside Residents
Association (DERA) by Peter Ladner, in what is widely thought to be the repercussions of an assumed
association between the DERA and the Anti Poverty Committee. In addition, the police executed a search on
the DERA headquarters in response to the theft of the Olympics flag, for which another group completely
unrelated to the DERA had claimed responsibility. As the authors of the IOCC Report Card (2007) pointed out,
however, it is reasonable for the DERA to expect increased surveillance due to the increasingly criminal
activities of the APC, but it is expected that the police will maintain some restraint, and not abuse this
connection.
There is an increased attempt to criminalize homelessness. This is being accomplished through a variety of
means, including:
• The Safe Streets Act (2004), which outlawed aggressive panhandling (including “squeegeeing”).
• Project Civil City (2006), which has been indicated as targeting homelessness as it aims to reduce
civil disorder through a number of initiatives, including more enforcement. Project Civil City includes:
o More police officers on the street
o The use of volunteers/city employees to “keep an eye on things”
o CCTV usage
o The addition of a demonstrated desire to detox as a prerequisite for accessing social
housing
Several critics of Project Civil City note that increased police presence will likely have the effect of increasing
unsafe drug use, as addicts will be less likely to use Insite or the needle exchange programs (due to the risk of
carrying the drugs around). It is also asserted that trying the reform of an individual’s behavior to social
housing will increase, rather than decreased the population of street people.
Another concern regarding to the criminalization of homeless is the recent increases in the evictions from
Oppenheimer Park, which occurred several times over the summer of 2008. There have been increased
18incidents where Vancouver Police Department officers have confiscated and discarded the entire personal
belongings of street people, at times acting inappropriately with regard to the enormity with which such
actions impact their lives.
The criminalization of homelessness is further characterized by the recent renovations across Vancouver to
make the city less accommodating to the homeless. These renovations included adding dividers to benchers
to prevent people from lying down and installing locks on dumpsters to prevent dumpster diving.56
Olympics‐related security initiatives have invoked much public debate. Most
prominently, concerns have ranged from increased spending on security capital
projects, to an increase in the visibility of policing presence throughout the city, to
changing legislation around public order within the Province and the City of
Vancouver. The criminalization of persons who resist Olympic‐related activity, as
well as exclusion of organizations that have been critical of Olympic activity have
raised further concern. Whether security initiatives will be discontinued after the
Olympic Games have finished has yet to be finalized.
56
Information for this section came from the following sources:
Canadian Press. (January 20, 2008). “CSIS on lookout for violent protests at 2010 games.” CBCNews.ca.
Available at: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british‐columbia/story/2008/01/20/csis‐olympic‐
security.html
Date last accessed: January 26, 2009
Smith, Charlie. (August 11, 2005). “It’s the Teror, Stupid.” The Georgia Straight.
Available at: http://www.straight.com/article/2010‐its‐the‐terror‐stupid
Date last accessed: January 26, 2009
Shaw, Christopher. (July 21, 2008). “Olympic Profits: The 2010 Games versus Vancouver’s Downtown
Eastside.” Briarpatch Magazine.
Available at: http://briarpatchmagazine.com/2008/07/21/olympic‐profits/
Date last accessed: January 25, 2009
IOCC. (May 2007). “Olympic Oversight Interim Report Card.” Impacts on Communities Coalition.
Available at: http://www.geog.ubc.ca/~ewyly/u400/IOCC(2007).pdf
Date last accessed: January 26, 2009
CBC News. (October 18, 2007). “Use transit, adjust work hours for 2010 Olympics: committee.” CBC News.
Available at: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british‐columbia/story/2007/10/17/bc‐olympic.html
Date last accessed: January 25, 2009
Keast, Gordon. (August 13, 2008). “Tighter Transit Security Needed Now.” The Vancouver Sun.
Available online at: http://noii‐van.resist.ca/?p=844
Date last accessed: January 25, 2009
Pablo, Carlito. (September 25, 2008). “Street sweeps displace homeless in Downtown Eastside” The Georgia
Straight.
Available at: http://www.straight.com/article‐163416/sweeps‐displace‐homeless?#
Date last accessed: January 25, 2009
Paulsen, Monty. (December 21, 2006). “Mayor Sullivan’s Big Ambitions.” The Tyee.
Available at: http://thetyee.ca/News/2006/12/21/CivilCity/
Date last accessed: January 25, 2009
19FINANCES AND THE ECONOMY
Financing of the Olympics Games at the municipal level has been a prominent topic in the media over the
past few months. Recently, Vancouver city councillors approached the Provincial Government asking for a
change to the Vancouver Charter that would allow the City to borrow $458 million without holding a public
referendum to finish the Athlete’s Village in False Creek. In total, the village is slated to cost just over $1
billion, which includes the $200 million value of the land, $750 million for construction, and $125 million in
cost overruns.57
Last September, Fortress Investment halted a $750‐million loan to the village's developers, fearing they
might not be able to pay it back. Since then, Vancouver has been paying the monthly construction costs but
the $100 million (about $2,000 per person) they approved in a secret meeting runs out in February.58
Rising expenses have pushed the Games organizing committee into a deficit of $48.1 million in the fiscal year
ending July 31. At the same time last year they had a surplus of $60.9 million.59 Back in 2006, the BC Auditor
General reported that the minimum taxpayer cost of the Olympics would be $2.5 billion. Since then, costs
have risen drastically. For example, the original estimate for security costs was $175 million, but Public Safety
Minister Stockwell Day has recently said that the costs will more realistically be as high as $1 billion. The true
costs of security at previous Games have ranged from $1.3 billion to $2 billion.60
John Doyle is BC’s third auditor general to accuse the BC Liberals for distorting the costs of the Olympics. He
has refused to release his latest Olympic audit until they provide him with the numbers he’s been denied.
Finance Minister Colin Hansen said the price tag for any government expenditure is included in the province's
overall budget.61
Hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics cannot be justified on economic grounds alone. "The Games are not
attractive from a financial point of view," says Dr. Marvin Shaffer, co‐author of the study and one of the
57
Canadian Press. (January 13, 2009).”Vancouver councillors seek $458‐million Olympic loan.” Canadian
Press.
Available at:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090112/olympic_village_090112/2009011
3?hub=TopStories
Date last accessed: January 24, 2009
58
Smith, Charlie. (November 6, 2008). “City mum on $100‐million pledge to complete Olympic Village.” The
Georgia Straight.
Available at: http://www.straight.com/article‐169642/city‐mum‐100million‐pledge‐complete‐
olympic‐village
Date last accessed: January 24, 2009
59
Levitz, Stephanie. (October 16, 2008). “Deficit, rising venue costs don't hurt Olympic finances, 2010
organizers say.” Canadian Press.
Available at: http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Olympics/2010Vancouver/2008/10/16/7109556‐cp.html
Date last Accessed: January 24,
60
Lee, Jeff. (October 10, 2008). “2010 Olympic security will cost between $400 million and $1 billion.”
The Vancouver Sun.
Available at: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=ef1ab251‐5f23‐43e4‐be4c‐
411a02ed8791
Date last accessed: January 24, 2009.
61
Canadian Press. (December 11, 2008). “BC Auditor Withholds Report.” Canadian Press.
Available at: http://www.no2010.com/node/605
Date last accessed: January 24, 2009
20architects of British Columbia's Multiple Account Guidelines (used for undertaking cost‐benefit analyses of
major capital projects). "If Vancouver hosts the 2010 Winter Olympics, there will be a substantial net cost to
British Columbians in the order of $1.2 billion."
Alan Greer, co‐author of the study, says the economic benefits of hosting the Games are limited. "Job
creation estimates have been wildly exaggerated. Realistic employment estimates range from 1,500 to 5,600
jobs created over the seven years the Games are estimated to have an impact. Based on a net cost of $1.2
billion to host the Games, that's a public subsidy of $220,000 to $820,000 per job."
The Olympics also carry significant environmental and social risks. "There are some innovative ideas in the
Bid Book for mitigating social and environmental costs, but many of them haven't been budgeted and, if
implemented, will likely mean increases to the overall cost of the Games." says Celine Mauboules, co‐author
of the study.62
Cost over‐runs have become a frequent occurrence in the preparations for the 2010
Olympic Games. The recent economic crisis places added pressure for the financing for
the Games. Some key sponsors have declared bankruptcy. Students and younger
persons will be especially impacted by any deficits if they are to be financed through
taxation initiatives.
62
Schaffer, Marvin. et al. (February 14, 2003). “2010 Olympic Costs and Benefits.” Canadian Centre for Policy
Alternatives.
Available at: http://www.issuelab.org/research/2010_olympic_costs_and_benefits
21UBC CONTEXT
Academics
Last year, Senate altered the 2009‐2010 academic year to include a 2 week reading break during the
Olympics and subsequently extended the exam period to May 1st. No accommodations have been planned for
students with exams on May 1st but have housing leases that end on April 30th. Thousands of students will be
in this circumstance, but Enrolment Services has said these students will not be eligible for exam hardship.
There are, however, a number of viable options including increasing the frequency of night exams and
scheduling exams on Sundays.
UBC Faculty Association President Elizabeth Hodgson said that faculty will face a number of issues due to the
lengthened reading break:
o Scheduling of assignments and projects will be trickier‐‐finding the right kinds of projects or
assignments for a 2‐week break not far into the term will be a challenge.
o It’s hard to re‐establish rapport, momentum, and conversations, after a long break,
especially one full of local excitement of a rather non‐academic sort.
o Labs, experiments, field‐studies, co‐op terms will be affected, but it’s hard to know right
now to what extent.
o Faculty on short‐term contracts will find April very, very hectic. They'll have to wrap
everything up a week later than usual (and I'm pretty sure UBC won't extend their contracts
into May), and then many of them teach in summer‐term, so they'll be finishing up winter‐
term while already into their spring courses.
o April conferences will be harder to plan for, attend, and organize.
o Dealing with RA and TA schedules in April will be more complex.
o April is also usually the deadline for admissions and acceptances to many graduate
programs; this administrative load will fall on top of end‐of‐term activities now.
o Disruptions in availability of campus spaces and services during the Olympics will be a
factor.
o Travel, commuting, transport to and from childcare and activities will be challenging at
best.
UBC and VANOC have also entered into an agreement called the Olympics Games Impact (OGI) research
project (See Appendix 2). UBC researchers, including students, will be provided with grants of up to $300,000
to measure the impacts of the 2010 Olympics according to indicators chosen by the International Olympic
Committee (IOC). While a research project of this type is necessary, there are concerns that it may not be
academically independent since VANOC has the right to withhold funding installments for any reason.
Robson Square
Classroom and meeting spaces at Robson Square will be leased to the Provincial Secretariat for most of the
month of February to act as a media center for the Olympics. Students will not be able to take classes during
this time as they have been cancelled. In addition, students have been adversely affected over the past year
due to the mobility inconveniences and noise problems from the ongoing construction of the area63.
$200,000 is being spent on a security system at the campus, including closed‐circuit television cameras that
will remain in place after the Olympics.
VANOC’s Campus Takeover
63
Frederick, Blake. (August 2008). In conversation with UBC Robson Square Director Jane Hutton. University
of British Columbia.
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