FIFA World Cup 2026 - Toronto, Governance Lessons Learned for Bidding and Planning to Host Future Mega Events

Considered

• 2025-07-11 · Audit Committee · adopted

  Decision as filed

  The Audit Committee recommends that: 1. The Mayor consider strengthening governance oversight at the Council level earlier in the process (e.g., beginning of the bidding process) for future Mega or large scale events (with costs above a certain threshold and / or requiring funding from other levels of government), in consultation with the City Manager and City Council where appropriate, which may include a Steering Committee to lead and oversee the relevant division, and a Subcommittee to consider and make recommendations on all event-related matters to Executive Committee.

  Show the rest of Decision as filed, 2,393 more characters as filed

  2. City Council request the City Manager to develop and propose policy and procedures, relating to Council delegated authority to staff, to ensure that Council is appropriately informed in cases where there is a significant change in the estimated value or a significant update of a project or agreement, that is not already covered under existing City policies. 3. City Council request the City Manager and General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to develop long-term bidding and hosting principles and strategies for Mega Events, including a comprehensive risk and opportunities assessment and risk mitigation strategy, with required reporting to City Council for consideration and for any further direction that may be required. 4. City Council request the City Manager and Executive Director, FIFA World Cup 2026 Secretariat, to expedite finalizing the remaining one agreement with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd., once the necessary information is available to finalize the agreement. 5. City Council request the City Manager and Executive Director, FIFA World Cup 2026 Secretariat, in consultation with the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to develop a standard and guidance for staff on documenting agreed-upon changes to hosting requirements for FIFA World Cup 2026 and future Mega Events, where changes to the legal agreement is not possible. For informal communications, this should include documenting meeting minutes, retaining records of agreed-upon changes, and obtaining written confirmation by the other party(ies) where possible. 6. City Council request the City Manager and relevant Division Head to develop a process and policy to provide all relevant information on significant updates or changes (e.g., bidding process updates, significant changes to potential risks / opportunities or cost estimates) for future Mega Events to City Council on a timely basis, so that Council can make fully informed decisions. 7. City Council request the City Manager and relevant Division Head to develop a process and policy to have full cost estimates in staff reports related to future Mega or significant special events, including all potential costs for the City, as well as describing any uncertainties regarding whether it will be the responsibility of another party or level of government, or could fall under the responsibility of the City.

• 2025-07-23 · Toronto City Council · amended