Vancouver makes Olympic Plebiscite History
 

Last night the city of Vancouver became the first city ever to vote yes in an Olympic plebiscite. About 50% of Vancouver residents came out yesterday to vote and almost 2/3 voted yes...


Voters support Vancouver Olympic bid
Last Updated Sun, 23 Feb 2003 13:46:20
VANCOUVER - Nearly two-thirds of Vancouver voters said "yes" Saturday to hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics.


INDEPTH: FROM CBC VANCOUVER ONLINE

A record number of eligible voters turned out, as 86,113 people said they supported Vancouver hosting the Olympic Games and 48,651 said they didn't.

Voter turnout was heavy right up until the polls closed. More people voted in this plebiscite than any other in the city's history. Almost 135,000 people, or 46 per cent of eligible voters, cast a ballot.


Celebrating the "yes" victory

Of 134,791 ballots cast, 64 per cent were in favor, 36 per cent against. The results of the vote are non-binding.

"This shows the determination on (Vancouver residents') part to win the Games," said Mayor Larry Campbell, adding voter turnout was "absolutely outstanding."

"The results are decisive," added Campbell. "It's a powerful 'yes' to the International Olympic Committee. We still want the Games (and) I'm positive we'll get the Games."


FROM AUG. 27, 2002: CBC SPORTS ONLINE: Vancouver bid makes 2010 Olympic short list

The plebiscite was the mayor's idea. Campbell went head with it despite warnings it was too late in the bid. It also cost taxpayers almost $600,000.

"I'd have spent a million if I had to," he said. "We're talking about democracy here. I'm sick and tired of people saying there's a price to be paid for democracy."


Premier Gordon Campbell gives a thumbs-up

Premier Gordon Campbell was pushing for a "yes" vote; he's been telling people the Games will generate "billions of dollars of economic activity."

However, Chris Shaw of the "No Games 2010 Coalition" said his group believes the Olympics will strain the public treasury.

Only Vancouver residents were eligible to vote.

"It's not over yet by any standard," said Shaw. "It won't be over until all the people of the province get a vote and a fair question in a binding referendum."

Vancouver is one of three cities vying for the Games. The others are Salzburg, Austria, and Pyeongchang in South Korea.

The International Olympic Committee's evaluation team be in Vancouver at the beginning of March. It will make its final decision on the winning bid in July.

I just learned a new word, plebiscite.:)

NYC is trying for the Summer Olympics in 2012. I wonder if we will have a plebiscite. They'll probably call it something else. ;)

Congratulations to the citizens of Vancouver! :)

Yay Canada. I want the Olypmics to be close, but in the U.S. for a while.

Meh. As someone who lived in an Olympic City (and doesn't want to live through it again), I can honestly say I'm rooting for Salzburg, Austria in 2010.

64% baby! and 90+% nationally!!
 

Thanks for posting this Siobhan :D

YAY!! am so proud to say that I'm a very active member of Team 2010 - the core volunteer group of Vancouver's 2010 Olympic Bid efforts!!

We are SOOOO excited about the plebiscite results, and now are in the process of putting the final 'touches' on our plans for next week's IOC Evaluation Team visit ... we're going to WOW them! Unfortunately, I'm sworn to secrecy! ;)

With the next 3 Olympic Games in Europe, Europe & Asia (Athens, Torino, IT & Beijing, CN), it really is OUR TIME TO SHINE in Vancouver in 2010!

GO VANCOUVER :)

- Jennifer

Re: 64% baby! and 90+% nationally!!
 

Once school settles down I am thinking of volunteering.

I was really hoping Toronto would get 2008, and in some way i dont want Van city to get 2010, so that T.O. can go for 2012 (as i understand they wish to) But I understand the excitment in Vancouver right now (I was in Toronto for the 2008 bid), Good luck Vancouver, you have a world class city and it deserves to be shown off to the world. (the goldon gate bridge has nothing on the lions gate...)

Don't feel bad - I didn't want TO to get the 2008 olympics so we had a shot at the 2010 ;)...

werd....the difference this time around is that the rest of the country was rooting for vancity, unlike toronto.