January 11, 2016

The Honourable Kathleen Wynne
Premier of Ontario
Room 281, Legislative Building
Queen’s Park
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1A1

Dear Premier Wynne:

I am pleased to share an update on my mandate letter commitments related to the TORONTO 2015 Pan American/Parapan American Games, a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of sport and culture showcasing Ontario’s capacity, hospitality, diversity and inclusiveness.

Fostering Partnership, Community Engagement and Inclusion

  • Ontario was at the forefront of efforts to ensure the Games were the best ever, working hand-in-hand with many provincial ministries and private and public partners at all levels, including the TORONTO 2015 Organizing Committee (TO2015), the federal government, four First Nations communities and 23 municipalities and universities.
  • Ontario fostered partnership, community engagement and inclusion to ensure that as many Ontarians as possible could take part through measures such as:
    • The Torch Relays, which visited more than 130 communities across Ontario.
    • The PANAMANIA arts and culture program.
    • Collaboration with Aboriginal, LGBTQ, Francophone, Hispanic and Caribbean communities to foster inclusion and celebration.
    • Supporting seven Games-time celebration sites, including Ontario’s Celebration Zone.

Managing Host Jurisdiction Services and Infrastructure

  • Ontario worked closely with Games partners and other stakeholders to manage host jurisdiction services and infrastructure for seamless and smooth Games operations.
  • The construction and renovation of 25 Games-related capital projects and the acclaimed Athletes' Village were completed effectively and efficiently, in good time for the Games. The Games security and transportation plans were resoundingly effective, and the health and emergency plans resulted in well-prepared emergency teams.

Developing a Communications Strategy

  • The PPAGS (Pan American/Parapan American Games Secretariat) Communications Plan and its Issues Management Strategy were comprehensive, involving 24 ministries, federal and municipal governments, and TO2015 to maximize Games promotion.

Implementing and Promoting Games Legacies

  • PPAGS led the provincial Legacy Strategy for the Games with support from 14 partner ministries, successfully executing all of the strategy initiatives, such as:
    • Building a trained workforce of over 23,000 volunteers who can support their communities.
    • Giving more than 70,000 youth access to sport and healthy active living activities at over 4,250 sites through the Pan Am/Parapan Am Kids program.
    • Ensuring an accessible Games for participants and spectators by collaborating with the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario, TO2015 and tourism stakeholders.
    • Establishing the Toronto 2015 Sport Legacy Fund, which will provide $70 million to support the ongoing operation and maintenance of key Games legacy facilities, done in partnership with the Government of Canada.

Maximizing the Economic Benefit of the Games

  • The Games created an estimated 26,000 jobs, attracted an estimated 250,000 visitors and are expected to boost Ontario’s real GDP by $3.7 billion by 2017.

Ensuring Fiscal Responsibility and Accountability, Including Concluding the Games

  • PPAGS ensured that all TO2015 financial reports and business cases were submitted for review and acceptance, and is making sure that TO2015 executes its final obligations through wind down.
  • Thanks to the province’s strong fiscal oversight and the commitment by all partners, the overall cost of the TORONTO 2015 Pan American/Parapan American Games will be within the $2.4 billion budget.

Ontario and its partners delivered the largest multi-sport event ever on Canadian soil — Games that were important for Ontario, for our athletes and for our economy. The Games leave behind far-reaching and long-lasting benefits in sport and recreation infrastructure, housing, transportation and education.

I am extraordinarily proud of Ontario’s vital role in this landmark endeavour.

Sincerely,

Michael Coteau signature

Michael Coteau
Minister

Results achieved

Mandate Letter Commitment Progress to date
Continue to engage other governments, sport partners and stakeholders to enable a successful Games.
  • Successfully developed partnerships with 23 municipalities and universities, the federal government, TO2015, Aboriginal, LGBTQ, Francophone, Hispanic and Caribbean communities and sport sector stakeholders for the delivery of the Games and showed the world the best of Canadian capacity, hospitality and diversity.
Work to ensure that the Games showcase the talents of athletes of all abilities — and promote Ontario’s success in creating a more accessible, inclusive society.
  • The Games showcased the value of sport and the health benefits of active living for people of all ages and abilities.
  • All 31 competition venues met applicable accessibility requirements; events such as Games competitions, torch relays and celebrations were accessible for participants and spectators.
Collaborating with the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015), relevant ministers and other partners to develop and implement strategies for community engagement and inclusion.
  • Assisted TO2015 in developing plans for community engagement and inclusion.
  • Over 1.4 million people enjoyed diverse cultural, arts and sport programming at seven celebration sites including Ontario’s Celebration Zone, PrideHouse, Franco-Fete and the Aboriginal Pavilion.
  • $750,000 funding for communities hosting a Torch Relay community stop, event or celebration.
Working in partnership with Aboriginal communities and leaders to ensure they are successfully connected to the Games.
  • Worked closely with the Aboriginal Leadership Partners committee and other partners to ensure Aboriginal communities' participation and involvement in all aspects of the Games; for example via the medal design, the opening/closing ceremonies, Torch Relays, the Aboriginal Pavilion, showcasing Aboriginal artists at PANAMANIA and at the medal/gift presentations.
Continuing to support the volunteer efforts of TO2015, you will seek opportunities to benefit from the talents, skills and diversity of Ontarians by capitalizing on TO2015's volunteer programs with the goal of building strong and caring communities.
  • Assisted TO2015 with attracting and retaining a team of 23,000+ volunteers for the Games, who can continue to support their communities in the future.
  • Ontario-led legacies include an individualized certificate attesting to the volunteer’s skills and experiences and the Volunteer Gateway resource, which will log and match opportunities and volunteers' capabilities provincewide.
Working closely with relevant ministers, TO2015 and other partners to effectively co-ordinate operational and other matters for the Games, I ask that you focus on capital infrastructure, transportation planning, security, municipal services, health and emergency management, and government co-ordination leading up to and during the Games.
  • The construction/renovation of 25 Games-related capital projects and Athletes' Village completed on-time and on-budget.
  • Transportation plan contributed to successful execution of the Games.
  • Games security and policing efforts were a success.
  • Municipal Services program was cost-effective and coordinated.
  • Health and Emergency Management plans resulted in well-prepared emergency teams.
Working with TO2015 and partner ministers to continue to develop and implement a strong and comprehensive communications strategy to increase awareness of the Games, I ask that you work with partners to develop and implement a plan for communications, issues management and hosting dignitaries during the Games.
  • Developed and implemented a highly effective and integrated strategic communications plan which included participation from 14 partner ministries and aligned with TO2015's communications plans. Established an issues management team with Games partners to proactively identify potential issues and mitigate risks.
Implementing the government’s legacy strategy for the Games. This strategy will maximize our investments, leverage longer-term public benefits and ensure support leading up to, during and after the Games.
  • Oversaw and coordinated implementation of a Legacy Strategy for the Games with three main areas of focus – Sport and Healthy Active Living, Social and Community Development, and Economic Development and Jobs. All initiatives in the Legacy Strategy were successfully executed.
Enabling increased youth participation in sport and healthy active living.
  • Increased awareness of the Games and encouraged participation in a variety of sports/parasports, recreational and cultural activities through the Pan Am/Parapan Am Kids program.
  • The program reached more than 70,000 kids at 4,250 sites including publicly funded schools, after-school programs and summer camps.
Building on the Games' volunteer programs to help connect volunteers with organizations and employment opportunities after the Games.
  • Worked in partnership with TO2015 to ensure each of the 23,000+ volunteers received a certificate acknowledging the skills gained from their Games experiences that can be applied to future volunteer or job opportunities.
Working with stakeholders to make Ontario a more accessible and barrier-free tourist destination.
  • Worked closely with Accessibility Directorate of Ontario, TO2015, tourism industry, municipalities and universities and other partners to ensure an accessible Games for participants and spectators.
  • Ontario and partners made accessible transportation a priority for the Games.
Showcasing Ontario to an international audience and creating economic opportunities through jobs, tourism and strategic investments. The Games are expected to generate more than 26,000 new jobs, grow our GDP by $3.7 billion — and attract more than 250,000 tourists.
  • RBC's June Provincial Outlook pointed to the Games as a vehicle for growth in 2015.
  • Moneris reported that credit card spending grew 7.7 per cent; hotel spending grew 8.2 per cent; and foreign credit card spending increased by 18.9 per cent year-over-year during the Games time period.
  • A final economic impact assessment is underway.
Continuing to work with other ministers and partners to maximize the economic impact of the Games.
  • Maximized and promoted the economic impact of the Games.
  • Provided financial support to the Toronto Global Forum through the PPAGS budget.
  • Partnered with the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation to create Ontario’s Celebration Zone that highlighted the best of Ontario with free programming, Ontario craft beer and wine, interactive digital media, etc.
Working with TO2015 to minimize financial pressures on Ontario related to Games delivery.
  • Required TO2015 to submit business plans to Canada and Ontario for review and acceptance.
  • TO2015's final Business Plan was accepted in June 2015.
  • During the Games, PPAGS monitored TO2015's financial position through daily reporting.
  • TO2015 is currently forecasting the Games will be within budget.
Working to ensure that appropriate accountability and transparency measures are in place relating to the management of the Games.
  • Accepted in June 2015, TO2015's final Business Plan formally identifies TO2015's revenue and expense targets for the Games.
Working with TO2015 to ensure its orderly dissolution. You will also wind down provincial activities, in accordance with the Games governing agreements, and report publicly on the results and achievements of the Games.
  • As PPAGS and TO2015 work through wind-down plans, TO2015 will continue to meet its obligations for FOI reporting, financial reconciliations etc., and the Board of Directors will remain in place.
Continue to engage other governments, sport partners and stakeholders to enable a successful Games.
  • Successfully developed partnerships with 23 municipalities and universities, the federal government, TO2015, Aboriginal, LGBTQ, Francophone, Hispanic and Caribbean communities and sport sector stakeholders for the delivery of the Games and showed the world the best of Canadian capacity, hospitality and diversity.
Work to ensure that the Games showcase the talents of athletes of all abilities — and promote Ontario’s success in creating a more accessible, inclusive society.
  • The Games showcased the value of sport and the health benefits of active living for people of all ages and abilities.
  • All 31 competition venues met applicable accessibility requirements; events such as Games competitions, torch relays and celebrations were accessible for participants and spectators.
Collaborating with the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015), relevant ministers and other partners to develop and implement strategies for community engagement and inclusion.
  • Assisted TO2015 in developing plans for community engagement and inclusion.
  • Over 1.4 million people enjoyed diverse cultural, arts and sport programming at seven celebration sites including Ontario’s Celebration Zone,  PrideHouse, Franco-Fete and the Aboriginal Pavilion.
  • $750,000 funding for communities hosting a Torch Relay community stop, event or celebration.
Working in partnership with Aboriginal communities and leaders to ensure they are successfully connected to the Games.
  • Worked closely with the Aboriginal Leadership Partners committee and other partners to ensure Aboriginal communities' participation and involvement in all aspects of the Games; for example via the medal design, the opening/closing ceremonies, Torch Relays, the Aboriginal Pavilion, showcasing Aboriginal artists at PANAMANIA and at the medal/gift presentations.
Continuing to support the volunteer efforts of TO2015, you will seek opportunities to benefit from the talents, skills and diversity of Ontarians by capitalizing on TO2015's volunteer programs with the goal of building strong and caring communities.
  • Assisted TO2015 with attracting and retaining a team of 23,000+ volunteers for the Games, who can continue to support their communities in the future.
  • Ontario-led legacies include an individualized certificate attesting to the volunteer’s skills and experiences and the Volunteer Gateway resource, which will log and match opportunities and volunteers' capabilities provincewide.
Working closely with relevant ministers, TO2015 and other partners to effectively co-ordinate operational and other matters for the Games, I ask that you focus on capital infrastructure, transportation planning, security, municipal services, health and emergency management, and government co-ordination leading up to and during the Games.
  • The construction/renovation of 25 Games-related capital projects and Athletes' Village completed on-time and on-budget.
  • Transportation plan contributed to successful execution of the Games.
  • Games security and policing efforts were a success.
  • Municipal Services program was cost-effective and coordinated.
  • Health and Emergency Management plans resulted in well prepared emergency teams.
Working with TO2015 and partner ministers to continue to develop and implement a strong and comprehensive communications strategy to increase awareness of the Games, I ask that you work with partners to develop and implement a plan for communications, issues management and hosting dignitaries during the Games.
  • Developed and implemented a highly effective and integrated strategic communications plan which included participation from 14 partner ministries and aligned with TO2015's communications plans. Established an issues management team with Games partners to proactively identify potential issues and mitigate risks.
Implementing the government’s legacy strategy for the Games. This strategy will maximize our investments, leverage longer-term public benefits and ensure support leading up to, during and after the Games.
  • Oversaw and coordinated implementation of a Legacy Strategy for the Games with three main areas of focus – Sport and Healthy Active Living, Social and Community Development, and Economic Development and Jobs. All initiatives in the Legacy Strategy were successfully executed.
Enabling increased youth participation in sport and healthy active living.
  • Increased awareness of the Games and encouraged participation in a variety of sports/parasports, recreational and cultural activities through the Pan Am/Parapan Am Kids program.
  • The program reached more than 70,000 kids at 4,250 sites including publicly funded schools, after-school programs and summer camps.
Building on the Games' volunteer programs to help connect volunteers with organizations and employment opportunities after the Games.
  • Worked in partnership with TO2015 to ensure each of the 23,000+ volunteers received a certificate acknowledging the skills gained from their Games experiences that can be applied to future volunteer or job opportunities.
Working with stakeholders to make Ontario a more accessible and barrier-free tourist destination.
  • Worked closely with Accessibility Directorate of Ontario, TO2015, tourism industry, municipalities and universities and other partners to ensure an accessible Games for participants and spectators.
  • Ontario and partners made accessible transportation a priority for the Games.
Showcasing Ontario to an international audience and creating economic opportunities through jobs, tourism and strategic investments. The Games are expected to generate more than 26,000 new jobs, grow our GDP by $3.7 billion — and attract more than 250,000 tourists.
  • RBC's June Provincial Outlook pointed to the Games as a vehicle for growth in 2015.
  • Moneris reported that credit card spending grew 7.7 per cent; hotels spending grew 8.2 per cent; and foreign credit card spending increased by 18.9 per cent year-over-year during the Games time period.
  • A final economic impact assessment is underway.
Continuing to work with other ministers and partners to maximize the economic impact of the Games.
  • Maximized and promoted the economic impact of the Games.
  • Provided financial support to the Toronto Global Forum through the PPAGS budget.
  • Partnered with the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation to create Ontario’s Celebration Zone that highlighted the best of Ontario with free programming, Ontario craft beer and wine, interactive digital media, etc.
Working with TO2015 to minimize financial pressures on Ontario related to Games delivery.
  • Required TO2015 to submit business plans to Canada and Ontario for review and acceptance.
  • TO2015's final Business Plan was accepted in June 2015.
  • During the Games, PPAGS monitored TO2015's financial position through daily reporting.
  • TO2015 is currently forecasting the Games will be within budget.
Working to ensure that appropriate accountability and transparency measures are in place relating to the management of the Games.
  • Accepted in June 2015, TO2015's final Business Plan that formally identifies TO2015's revenue and expense targets for the Games.
Working with TO2015 to ensure its orderly dissolution. You will also wind down provincial activities, in accordance with the Games governing agreements, and report publicly on the results and achievements of the Games.
  • As PPAGS and TO2015 work through wind-down plans, TO2015 will continue to meet its obligations for FOI reporting, financial reconciliations etc., and the Board of Directors will remain in place.