Community and Economic Development

The following are the IOCC's recommendations to the Olympic Organizers and their partners about community economic development:

  1. Protect small businesses. Small businesses in the downtown core can be negatively impacted by hallmark events such as Olympics. For example, restricted access to Olympic areas both before and after the event can result in loss of business. The Bid Corporation and its partners should create an insurance fund to protect local small businesses against losses incurred due to the Olympics.
  2. Leverage community economic development initiatives for under employed individuals and First Nations. The Olympics provide a world stage for local business, art, culture and tourism. The Bid Corporation and its partners should use their purchasing power, as well as adapt progressive local procurement policies to support small, local and emerging businesses. The Olympics should also be used to showcase the rest of the province's art and culture and tourism opportunities so that economic benefits flow to all areas of the province.
  3. Provide training and employment for local underemployed citizens and First Nations. Mega-projects such as the expansion of the convention and exhibition centre (an integral component of the 2010 Bid) provide excellent training and skill building opportunities for local under employed and First Nations residents. The Bid Corporation and its partners should establish training and skill building programs for individuals currently out of the workforce in construction related trades, as well as service jobs. In addition, the Bid Corporation and its partners must ensure that these trained individuals are given the opportunity to find employment before the games (during construction), during the Games (hotel and other service jobs) and after the games (in the on going operation of the expanded Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre).