Victoria councillors hope a decision to provide financial support for a successful North American Indigenous Games bid will set the tone for other municipalities to do the same.
Council voted Thursday to provide up to $220,000 in each of the 2019 and 2020 budget years from surplus accounts, should the Songhees Nation-led bid for the 2020 Games be successful. The City’s support is subject to receiving a detailed budget breakdown from the Games committee.
As part of the decision, a statement was included that Victoria will encourage its municipal neighbours to contribute per capita amounts in the same range, which works out to about $2.50 per person for two years.
The City also plans to work with the organizing committee to facilitate use of City sports facilities as needed.