T.O. mayor determined to bring Live 8 to town (Taxpayer-funded theft on its way?)

CTV News ^ | 06/19/05 | CTV.ca News Staff

[Heartofsong83]

T.O. mayor determined to bring Live 8 to town CTV.ca News Staff

Stung by earlier reports that the historic July 2 Live 8 concert could be hosted in Barrie, Ont., CTV News has learned the Toronto mayor's office is scrambling to bring the prestigious event to his city.

Barrie's Park Place, formerly Molson Park, is an option, the main organizer and Toronto-based concert promoter Michael Cohl said in an earlier statement. The venue is expected to be confirmed in an announcement on Tuesday.

Toronto Mayor David Miller and city officials have swung into action in efforts to negotiate a deal that would see the prestigious charity concert come to town, CTV News Toronto reported.

Downsview Park's CEO and President Tony Genco says the former military base is the obvious choice.

Not only did the expansive Toronto venue host Pope John Paul II for the 2003 World Youth Day, but also welcomed nearly 500,000 concertgoers to SARSstock two years ago.

But there is a significant distinction -- organizers had two months to prepare for the SARS benefit concert, which Cohl helped bring to town, while the Live 8 concert is scheduled for July 2, just about two weeks away.

Genco cautioned that organizing a concert of this size in this short amount of time is unprecedented.

The Globe and Mail reported Saturday that organizers told Genco they were not considering the park as a site. Still, he appeared optimistic.

"It just becomes more and more difficult to really imagine how it could happen. But where there's a will, there's always a way," he told CTV News Toronto.

Meanwhile, the mayor's office is looking at other venues in town, including the downtown Exhibition Place, CTV News Toronto reported.

The lineup for Canada's Live 8 concert is still being negotiated, but a host of big-name talent are in negotiations with organizers, including such acts as The Tragically Hip, Our Lady Peace, Blue Rodeo and the Barenaked Ladies. Jann Arden, Billy Talent and Bruce Cockburn are also said to be in consideration.

CTV News has also learned that the Rolling Stones likely won't be part of the event. The band is rehearsing for its upcoming world tour in Toronto, but reportedly has a scheduling conflict.

With a report from CTV News Toronto's Chris Eby

[Heartofsong83]

It is no secret based on the history of Toronto politicians that they are trying to get taxpayer dollars from all levels of government to steal the millions of dollars in economic benefits and high prestige from the conservative city of Barrie (population 130,000), and hand it to the Fiberal Fortress of Toronto. (Note that over $30M in taxpayer dollars was spent on the SARS concert in 2003)

This is a slap in the face for everyone else involved, especially those living in conservative outlying areas. Barrie is only 60 miles north of Toronto, so I can't see how distance can be an issue. It is nothing more than arrogance from the card-carrying NDP member David Miller.

[NZerFromHK]

Anything like this happened to Sydney or Melbourne in the past?

[Fred Nerks]

Not that I am aware of...but then, our government is conservative and has a surplus!