Victoria councillors went on record Thursday indicating their support for a bid to host the 2022 Invictus Games in no way means the city supports armed conflict.
Coun. Ben Isitt raised the issue as councillors were considering a contribution of $20,000 toward a bid to host the games.
Isitt, who described himself as an “anti-militarist,” said “arguably there’s an element of glorifying militarism” in the Invictus Games.
The Invictus Games feature injured or sick armed services personnel and veterans taking part in sports including wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball and indoor rowing. They were created in 2014 by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.
After approving the expenditure, which if the bid is successful could ultimately lead to a city contribution worth $200,000 in cash and in-kind contributions, councillors endorsed Isitt’s resolution: “That council places itself on record expressing the opinion that the most effective way of honouring people injured in armed conflict is to pursue non-violent solutions to conflict in local communities and worldwide.”
Isitt said there’s a large pacifist community in the region. “People do have concerns about some forms of commemoration of war that are coloured or associated with the Armed Forces,” he said.
Isitt noted Canada’s defence budget is about $21 billion annually and the games’ main sponsor, the House of Windsor, has net worth of about $88 billion.
“So [I’m] just wondering should the City of Victoria assume a responsibility which seems to be much more properly a federal responsibility in terms of support for veterans, support for the Armed Forces.”
Isitt said the economic impact from hosting the games seemed small — only $43 million considering the anticipated costs of $39 million.
Mayor Lisa Helps noted that Oak Bay has already committed to contribute and said she was immediately enthusiastic when she heard about the opportunity.
“I don’t like war any more than Coun. Isitt does, but I do know from participating in wounded warrior runs every year and other things that there are people who have sacrificed their lives for various reasons and many of them … come back with very different bodies than they left with and very different mental-health situations,” Helps said.
The games fit well with council’s commitments to accessibility and mental wellness, she said.
Coun. Charlayne Thornton-Joe said the games are about supporting people who have physical and mental health issues and that she “respects the men and women who put their lives on the line to seek peace worldwide.”
Coun. Jeremy Loveday said: “I don’t support war or any efforts to glorify it, but my understanding is these games don’t aim to do that. Instead the Invictus Games as I know them are a celebration of hope, recovery and ultimately the best of humanity.”
