The Sports and Tourism committee advocates that Toronto play host to major international sporting events, such as the Pan-Am games. It is the committee's view that the hosting of such games acts as a catalyst for the building of both sport and non-sport infrastructure. For example, the Sea to Sky project in British Columbia had been on the planning books of government for years. It is now being built because the province is playing host to the Winter Olympics.
Participation is sports should not be overlooked as a major element of reducing government costs. With studies now reporting significant decreases in participation in sports among adults, it is our view that inactivity places increased burdens and pressures on our health system and its spiralling costs.
The Sports and Tourism committee of The Toronto Party supports the building of a new hockey rink for women's ice hockey. However it does not support the building of the facility at the proposed waterfront location due to the lack of infrastructure at the site. The preferred location is at the old Downsview Army Base at Keele St. and Sheppard Avenue West.