intoronto1125
Active Member
Map of the venues:
Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak is calling for a change to “outdated” Ontario labour laws, which he claims will lead to significant cost overruns at the TO2015 Pan American Games.
Hudak, a critic of the games along with MPP Rod Jackson, pointed to Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton, which needs a $155 million renovation before it’s ready to host the soccer event.
Hudak said the price could increase by as much as 40 per cent because the city was handcuffed by “closed tendering.” Exactly how that figure – which would amount to more than $60 million in cost over runs – was calculated is unclear. Hudak said he got it from the City of Hamilton.
“At a crucial time to actually reign in overspending, we have great concern that Ontario’s outdated labour laws are going to drive the cost (of the Pan Am Games) up,” said Hudak.
A spokesperson for the TO2015 Games said the cost to renovate Ivor Wynne is non-negotiable and will not increase.
In Hamilton, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America has exclusive rights to all carpentry-related work. This means only contractors that work with the union can bid on city construction projects.
The PC leader wants to change Ontario’s Labour Relations Act so that public employers are exempt from exclusivity agreements with unions.
As it stands, unions certified under the Act have exclusive rights to bargain on behalf of their employees — but that is not what limits contracting out. It is the collective agreement that does this, said a Ministry of Labour spokesperson.
The Pan American Games are still three years away, but critics are already accusing the organizing team of being over budget and behind schedule. Earlier this month, Jackson launched a weekly Pan Am accountability series to draw attention to areas he believes are of concern.
Ajax (just west of Oshawa on the Map above) will host the Pan Am Ball Park. Both Softball and Baseball will be held here with four stadiums (two for each sport one being 5,000 seats the other 1,000).
Anyone excited for these games watching London 2012?