Mayor David Miller says a Toronto venue for the massive Live Earth concert for global warming is a perfect fit because city residents are "strong environmentalists."
CTV learned Tuesday that city officials have made a number of inquires to participate in the international event that will be staged across all seven continents on July 7.
The live 24-hour simulcast, of which environmental crusader Al Gore is a big part of, is expected to reach more than 2 billion people.
On Wednesday Miller confirmed his office is pursuing a local venue and promoter. The mayor says he is excited by the prospect of taking part in the high-profile concert.
"I think it would be a real Toronto statement. People here are strong environmentalists, and a fun event like this to really send a strong message would be great," he said.
Toronto Tourism supports the city's effort, as the show could draw more than 100,000 people, including many from outside Toronto who would pump money into the local economy.
Miller doesn't want a repeat of the situation surrounding the Live 8 concert for world hunger two years ago. That show was moved to Barrie, an hour's drive north.
A Toronto show falls into line with Miller's aggressive green agenda.
Last week he announced an ambitious plan to cut Toronto's greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by 2020 and a whopping 80 per cent by 2050.
The event in Toronto would include a host of Canadian performers, but no names have been tossed around yet.
More than 100 of the world's top musical acts will participate in Live Earth concerts in cities including London, Sydney and Rio de Janeiro.
Artists include Madonna, Prince, The Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi, James Blunt, Snoop Dogg, Pharrell, Faith Hill and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Live Earth is attempting to raise worldwide awareness of the dangers and solutions to global warming.
Proceeds from the live simulcast will create the foundation for a new global effort led by The Alliance for Climate Protection and Gore, its chairman.
Gore, the former U.S. vice- president, recently won an Oscar for his climate change documentary "An Inconvenient Truth."
With a report from CTV's Desmond Brown
