TORONTO, ON (October 6, 2005) – The Toronto World Expo Corporation wants to hear from Toronto residents over the next two months on whether the City of Toronto should submit a bid to host the 2015 World Expo.

The City of Toronto has set up a corporation dedicated to exploring the feasibility of hosting a World Expo in Toronto in 2015 – the Toronto World Expo Corporation (Expo Corp). Before deciding whether to submit a bid, City Council and the Expo Corp want citizens’ input on what legacies or benefits they would expect a World Expo to contribute to the City, what challenges to expect, and ideas on how to address those challenges.

An independent team of consultation specialists will convene meetings and workshops in October and November throughout Toronto to hear from citizens. The consultation is a two-stage process -- the first round of meetings will seek citizens’ input and the second round will provide feedback from Expo Corp on the key issues raised in round one. This is an important opportunity for the public and key stakeholders to confirm that their priorities and perspectives have been heard.

The consultation team will submit a final report to Expo Corp in December 2005. Council will decide early in the new year whether to submit a bid for 2015 World Expo.

"Torontonians have the imagination, the creativity and the vision to create an Expo that will make the world sit up and take notice," said Mayor David Miller. "We need to hear from residents, so that we can find the most spectacular ways to share our city with the world."

The consultation team includes the Canadian Urban Institute’s Centre for the Development of Community Assets, Public Interest and Artscape. Three types of meetings will be held:

• City-wide consultations in four areas of Toronto -- north, central, east and west
   

• Site-specific meetings on the waterfront and on the Downsview Lands -- the proposed venue locations if Toronto were to host the 2015 World Expo
   

• Topic-based meetings to discuss the potential opportunities and challenges for culture, the environment and social issues (including social equity, housing and homelessness, and community economic development) if Toronto hosts a World Expo. The process will also seek input on a potential theme if Toronto decides to proceed with a bid.

Meetings will also be held with specific populations including Toronto youth, the homeless and low-cost housing tenants, as well as small businesses and ethno-cultural businesses.

"This consultation will be inclusive and transparent," said Councillor Brian Ashton, Chair of the Toronto 2015 World Expo Steering Committee. "Torontonians who participate can be confident their perspectives will be considered before any decision is made."

At each stage, the information gathered will be publicly available online. Meetings and forums will be listed on the website and in local newspapers.

Dates, times and locations for the city-wide meetings during the first round of consultations include:

About World Expos

About Toronto World Expo Corporation

The Toronto World Expo Corporation is a subsidiary corporation established by Toronto Economic Development Corporation to investigate the viability of Toronto as a potential host for the 2015 World Expo. The Toronto World Expo Corporation is leading all aspects of the bid development. In early 2006, Toronto City Council will review the findings and determine whether to proceed with a formal bid.