Expo 2017: Good Intentions… Scott Hennig Alberta Director & National Communications Manager Canadian Taxpayers Federation About the CTF • Non-profit, non-partisan, taxpayer advocacy organization • Founded in 1990 • Dedicated to: lower taxes, less waste and more government accountability • Offices in each province from Vancouver to Halifax and a Federal office in Ottawa • 74,000 supporters nation-wide • No government funding CTF Supporters • 4 issues annually of The Taxpayer magazine “A Playboy magazine for taxpayers. Titillating, eyebrow raising, a bit shocking.” - The Vancouver Sun • Regular e-mail Action Alerts: sign-up for free at www.taxpayer.com About EXPOs Imagine the possibilities. Imagine a glimpse of the future. Imagine EXPO... inspiring us to dream big for the future of humankind. A vibrant exchange of knowledge and culture. Countries showcasing the latest technology and solutions to global challenges. Think grand scale: the Olympic Games, the World Cup. EXPO 2017 in Edmonton will attract millions from around the world Source: http://www.edmontonexpo2017.com/en/about-expos.aspx Promised Benefits: • Infrastructure • Expo buildings re-used on U of A South Campus • “Temporary buildings…re-used efficiently in communities throughout Alberta” • “ Development of a series of transit hubs, park and- ride spaces, and the possibility of accelerating LRT extensions” • “signature bridge over the river” • “redevelopment of the Legislature grounds and the West Rossdale area” • Other • “A legacy fund of $100 million will provide education programs and scholarships” • “Putting Edmonton, Alberta, and Canada on the World Map” Promised Benefits: • Economic • $2.6 billion increase to Canada’s Gross Domestic Product • $2.3 billion increase to Alberta’s economy • “Thousands of jobs will be created” • “nearly a billion dollars of tax revenue across the three orders of government” • “a heightened business profile for Edmonton, Alberta and Canada” • “ 1.9 million unique visitors (nearly half from out of province) will make 5.3 million visits to EXPO 2017” • “It will create a tourism boost to the economy, in much the same way that EXPO '86 did for Vancouver” Type Recognized Theme Energy and Our Planet Cost $2.27 billion (2009 dollars) Deficit $2 billion ($227 m revenue) Attendance 4.5 – 5.3 million Unique Visitors 1.9 million Daily attendance 56,000 Who Pays? Province of Alberta 65% ($1.3 billion) Government of Canada 25% ($500 million) City of Edmonton 10% ($200 million) Comparisons to ‘67 & ‘86 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2hx_YgRdcI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaLUfKP5QFw Expo 1967 – Montreal Type Registered Length 6 months Theme Man and His World Cost (1967 dollars) $430 million Cost (2010 dollars) $2.75 billion Deficit (1967 dollars) $210 million Deficit (2010 dollars) $1.34 billion Attendance 51 million Expo 1986 – Vancouver Type Registered Length 5.5 months Theme World in motion, world in touch Cost (1986 dollars) $802 million Cost (2010 dollars) $1.42 billion Deficit (1986 dollars) $311 million Deficit (2010 dollars) $551 million Attendance 22 million Registered vs. Recognized Registered Recognized Length 6 months 3 months Theme Broad Specific Attendance Range 29-70 million 4-20 million Edmonton 2017 Projected Attendance: 4.7 million (2008 estimate) 5.3 million (2009 estimate) Low end of the smallest Expo Myth: Putting Edmonton on the Map Recognized Expo 2008 & 2012 Expo 2017 or 2018 competitors Source: http://www.expobids.com/2017-2018.htm Myth: attract millions from around the world Facts: • Expo bid committee uses a 10 hour driving distance around site to determine attendance • Zaragoza, Spain – 3.6% of visitors were international = 68,400 international visitors to Edmonton over 3 months Benefits? • $1.1 billion worth of left over infrastructure (at a cost of $2 billion) • Telling our story to ourselves (improving Alberta’s image within Alberta) • Some economic spin-offs from international visitors (68,400 of them) More Information Visit our website at: www.taxpayer.com Join for FREE Questions, Comments, Suggestions E-mail: [email protected] .