Toronto falling short on World Cup diversity spending, but city leans on community programs for legacy
With under five months to go, Toronto has spent $685,000 with certified Black, Indigenous and diverse suppliers, far below a $20 million council target. The city says more opportunities remain.
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By Torontoer Staff
Toronto has awarded just $685,000 in World Cup hosting contracts to Black-, Indigenous- and other certified diverse suppliers, a small fraction of the $20 million target council approved in 2024. With the city set to host its first match on June 12, staff say more awards remain to be finalized, but officials acknowledge the gap is significant.
The shortfall has prompted concern from city leaders and community groups that hoped the tournament would deliver a measurable boost to equity-seeking businesses and neighbourhood economies.
Where the spending stands
City staff reported that 19 of 52 bids from Indigenous, Black and otherwise diverse suppliers were accepted for World Cup-related work, totaling $684,673. Contracts awarded so far cover commercial printing, land surveying, catering, embroidery and arborist services. Officials expect larger awards, including contracts for security and the FIFA Fan Fest, will create additional opportunities for diverse suppliers.
Why the target is hard to hit
Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, who proposed the $20 million goal in 2024 as part of a set of measures aimed at securing local benefits from the tournament, said she has "concerns about how we are tracking" progress on diversifying the supply chain. She described the target as "ambitious" but "within reach," and said she has asked staff to approach partners such as FIFA Canada and MLSE to explore ways to increase local benefits.
Procurement rules are a limiting factor. The city’s chief procurement officer, Geneviève Sharkey, noted that public procurement requires open, competitive bidding for most contracts. The city also does not collect sociodemographic data on business owners for procurement, nor does it accept self-attestation. The figures in the report reflect suppliers certified as diverse through third parties and identity-based business organisations, meaning some awarded businesses cannot be included in current reporting.
"The city is aware of additional Indigenous, Black and diverse suppliers and social enterprises that have been awarded contracts" but which "cannot be included in reporting at this time."
Geneviève Sharkey, chief procurement officer
Steps the city has taken to boost diverse bidders
City staff have introduced procurement measures intended to improve diverse suppliers' chances on tournament work. For solicitations under roughly $134,000, procurement staff must include a quotation from at least one diverse supplier, when feasible. For invitational solicitations, if three or more Indigenous, Black or otherwise diverse suppliers submit bids, only those businesses are invited to quote. The city also gives preference to diverse suppliers that submit the second-lowest quote when it is within 10 per cent of the lowest bid.
Rosemarie Powell, executive director of the Toronto Community Benefits Network and co-chair of a city World Cup advisory committee, called the $20 million target a "stretch" that would be difficult to meet given tight timelines and the scale of work required. She said many awards have gone to large, established suppliers, but that subcontracting could boost spending with smaller diverse firms over time.
"We are concerned, but we know that there are good intentions and that there are efforts underway to move that number. We don't want the promise to be left unfulfilled, so we need to put effort into it."
Rosemarie Powell, Toronto Community Benefits Network
Legacy programs and local benefits beyond procurement
City officials say procurement is only one piece of how residents should benefit from the tournament. Toronto has funded a workforce development program aimed at giving Indigenous, Black and other equity-deserving youth job and training opportunities tied to the World Cup. The city plans a youth career summit to promote roles in hospitality, tourism, broadcasting and the skilled trades.
The municipal budget for the event includes $1.7 million for local celebrations in every ward, and $5 million earmarked for legacy initiatives. Those initiatives include summer campers' trips to Fan Fest, zero food waste programs, a refugee soccer tournament, a waterfront ferry pilot project and a "soccer innovation hub" at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Separately, the Champions Table subcommittee is about halfway to its $15 million fundraising goal to build 12 mini-pitches across the city. Construction has started on pitches in Grandravine, Amesbury and Scarborough Village Parks, with work on a fourth pitch planned for Apted Park.
What to watch as the tournament approaches
Toronto has budgeted $380 million for hosting duties, with the federal government contributing $104.3 million and the province $97 million. City staff say upcoming contract awards for major services are likely to increase spending with diverse suppliers, but that final tallies will depend on how contracts are structured and whether prime contractors subcontract work to smaller firms.
Residents can expect neighbourhood-level celebrations funded through the ward allocations, and youth employment and training initiatives intended to link local workers with short-term and longer-term jobs in tourism and the trades.
The next few months will show whether the city's measures and partnerships can translate into more tangible contracts and local hires. City officials maintain the $20 million diversity target is still a goal, and they are asking tournament partners to partner on ways to lift the city’s spend with equity-deserving businesses.
Meeting the council target will require coordinated effort across procurement, prime contractors and tournament partners, plus careful tracking of awards and subcontracting. For now, Toronto is balancing near-term operational needs with planned legacy programs intended to spread the World Cup's benefits beyond organizers and major sponsors.
World Cup 2026City procurementCommunity benefitsEquityToronto events
