Latest news with #Queen'sPark
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Toronto council strengthens oversight of major events after watchdog flags potential FIFA risks
Toronto council has agreed to impose stronger oversight over decisions to host major events, after a municipal watchdog found that a lack of transparency around the city's bid to stage the 2026 FIFA World Cup could have exposed it to significant risks. In a report presented to council on Wednesday , auditor general Tara Anderson examined council's February 2018 decision that authorized the city manager to sign up for the bid launched by Canada, the U.S. and Mexico to host the international soccer tournament. Toronto is scheduled to host six games starting June 12, 2026. Anderson found that while council made joining the bid conditional on the federal and provincial governments pledging to share hosting costs, the city didn't get those commitments before the March 2018 deadline to join. Instead, soon after the council vote staff signed an agreement with Canada Soccer to withdraw from hosting duties if Toronto didn't get funding guarantees from the other governments by June 2020. The agreement wasn't made public at the time, and was first reported by Star last year . City staff didn't report back to council on the World Cup plans until March 2022, four years after council's 2018 decision. The update didn't provide details of the withdrawal agreement — which was extended 'multiple times,' the auditor found — or explain how staff had mitigated risks related to the lack of intergovernmental funding, which at the time the city had still not nailed down. The auditor general found staff should have reported to council earlier about the conditions for pulling out of the bid, which would have allowed councillors 'to make an informed decision to continue (to pursue hosting rights) or withdraw.' The watchdog also noted that the initial estimate staff provided to council in 2018 pegged hosting costs at between $30 million and $45 million, a figure that didn't include the price of security, which staff said at the time was impossible to predict so far before the tournament. Toronto's overall hosting costs have now risen to $380 million, with the city responsible for almost $180 million. In May 2024, the federal government pledged $104 million, and while Ontario announced in February 2024 it had conditionally committed $97 million, negotiations are ongoing over how Queen's Park's contribution will be allocated. Anderson concluded that in future, staff should include all costs that could fall under the city's responsibility in early estimates to ensure 'city council has all relevant information to make an informed decision.' 'City council's limited visibility into the agreement terms, combined with staff not providing timely updates, could have left the city exposed to potential financial, operational, and reputational risk,' the report concluded. 'It is important that when council decides to delegate authority, that staff still appropriately report back to update council in a timely manner.' In a politically charged discussion before the vote on Anderson's report, councillors quizzed the city integrity commissioner over an investigation by his predecessor into former mayor John Tory. Under questions from Coun. Paula Fletcher (Ward 14, Toronto-Danforth) and others, Paul Muldoon recounted how the October 2023 report from then commissioner Jonathan Batty found Tory broke ethics rules when he voted in 2022 to advance Toronto's World Cup plans, which are being executed in partnership with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE). At the time, Tory was in a relationship with a woman that began while she was a staffer in his office, and continued when she took a job at MLSE, where she worked on the World Cup file. Tory resigned over the relationship in February 202 3, shortly after it was revealed by the Star. According to sources, he is considering running for mayor again next year, and polls suggest he would be the biggest threat to Mayor Olivia Chow. Fletcher said that while the World Cup will be fun for the city, Toronto is being left with a '$400 million hangover' in hosting costs. Because of the lack of rigorous oversight, 'we're left wondering (whether) MLSE got a really great deal for FIFA, and maybe we didn't get the best deal for FIFA,' said Fletcher, who sits on Chow's executive committee. 'We need to be careful and squeaky clean in this city when we're making these very big financial decisions,' she said. In response to concerns about rising costs, Chow had instituted a new council governance structure for the tournament in March 2024 , which Anderson determined had strengthened oversight. The auditor's report made seven recommendations intended to improve guidelines for future international events — such as developing policies to ensure council is informed of major changes to projects delegated to staff, and drafting principles for bidding on major events, including risk assessments — each of which council either approved or enhanced.
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Ajax vs Celtic: TV channel, live stream & kick-off in Como Cup
Celtic come into the fixture off the back of a 4-0 win over Newcastle. Earlier in pre-season Celtic beat Queen's Park, Cork City and Sporting Lisbon. Rodgers' side have only tasted defeat once in pre-season, to Portuguese side Estrela Da Amadora. Depending on the result against Ajax, Celtic will either compete in the third-place match or the Como Cup final at the weekend - against Como 1907 or Al-Ahli. When is Ajax vs Celtic? Ajax and Celtic go head to head in the Como Cup tomorrow - on Thursday, July 24. The match will be played at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. Kick-off is at 7.30pm. Is Ajax vs Celtic on TV? No. The match has not been selected for television coverage in the UK & Ireland. Can I live stream Ajax vs Celtic? Yes. Celtic TV subscribers can watch the match live as part of their subscription. You can sign up HERE. Read more: Who else do Celtic play in the Como Cup? Celtic will first play Ajax in their Como Cup opener. Depending on the result, Celtic will then play either Como 1907 or Al-Ahli SFC. The third place play-off takes place on Saturday, July 26, with the final on Sunday, July 27. Celtic pre-season fixtures in full Queen's Park 0-1 Celtic - Friday, July 4 Cork City 1-2 Celtic - Tuesday, July 8 Celtic 2-3 Estrela Da Amadora - Saturday, July 12 Sporting CP 0-2 Celtic - Wednesday, July 16 Celtic 4-0 Newcastle United - Saturday, July 19 Celtic vs Ajax - Thursday, July 24 Celtic vs Como/Al Ahli - July 26/27
The National
2 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Ajax vs Celtic: TV channel, live stream & kick-off in Como Cup
Brendan Rodgers' side take on the Eredivisie side in the semi-final of the pre-season competition. Celtic come into the fixture off the back of a 4-0 win over Newcastle. Earlier in pre-season Celtic beat Queen's Park, Cork City and Sporting Lisbon. Rodgers' side have only tasted defeat once in pre-season, to Portuguese side Estrela Da Amadora. Depending on the result against Ajax, Celtic will either compete in the third-place match or the Como Cup final at the weekend - against Como 1907 or Al-Ahli. When is Ajax vs Celtic? Ajax and Celtic go head to head in the Como Cup tomorrow - on Thursday, July 24. The match will be played at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia. Kick-off is at 7.30pm. Is Ajax vs Celtic on TV? No. The match has not been selected for television coverage in the UK & Ireland. Can I live stream Ajax vs Celtic? Yes. Celtic TV subscribers can watch the match live as part of their subscription. You can sign up HERE. Read more: Who else do Celtic play in the Como Cup? Celtic will first play Ajax in their Como Cup opener. Depending on the result, Celtic will then play either Como 1907 or Al-Ahli SFC. The third place play-off takes place on Saturday, July 26, with the final on Sunday, July 27. Celtic pre-season fixtures in full Queen's Park 0-1 Celtic - Friday, July 4 Cork City 1-2 Celtic - Tuesday, July 8 Celtic 2-3 Estrela Da Amadora - Saturday, July 12 Sporting CP 0-2 Celtic - Wednesday, July 16 Celtic 4-0 Newcastle United - Saturday, July 19 Celtic vs Ajax - Thursday, July 24 Celtic vs Como/Al Ahli - July 26/27
The National
2 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Celtic youngster set for loan as part of triple swoop
The left-sided player, 23, had a spell at Queen's Park last season following previous loans at Aberdeen, St Johnstone, Motherwell and Fleetwood Town. He has two years left on his Parkhead deal but is now set to head out for another spell away, this time in the top flight with David Martindale's side. The Daily Record has reported the youngster had lots of interest from both England and Scotland but Martindale managed to persuade him to head to West Lothian. Read more: So Montgomery will spend the season with the Premiership returnees and aid their bid to avoid the drop this time round. Livingston are also set to sign Hearts midfielder Aidan Denholm on loan and former Willem II striker Jeremy Bokila. Montgomery has been involved with Rodgers' first team in pre-season and started the friendly against Queen's Park before being named as a sub against Cork, Sporting Lisbon and Newcastle.
STV News
2 days ago
- Sport
- STV News
John McGlynn urges Falkirk to play at tempo and progress in League Cup
Falkirk manager John McGlynn told his players to maintain the tempo against Spartans and seal their place in the League Cup second round. The Premiership newcomers came from behind to beat Queen's Park 3-1 on Tuesday thanks to a double from Ethan Ross and a late strike from Brian Graham. The victory moved them top of Group A, but Cove Rangers are only a point behind and Spartans can leapfrog them if they pull off a shock at the Falkirk Stadium on Saturday. 'We know what we need,' McGlynn told Falkirk TV. 'We need to win the game to guarantee qualification and if we get to 11 points, who knows? We might creep into a seeded position going into the draw. 'However, first and foremost we have to take care of Spartans. They are well-coached, Dougie Samuels, everyone there, very experienced team. They will prepare to make it very difficult for us. 'We have got to play at a tempo that hopefully they can't handle.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
