A push to have Toronto bid for World Expo 2025 is picking up steam, proponents say, and they expect council will next week approve a small first step.

Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam will make a motion, seconded by economic development chair Councillor Michael Thompson, asking city staff for a report on the feasibility of hosting the international showcase of technology, architecture and culture.

The motion calls Expo, held every five years in a city chosen by Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions, “the largest ongoing nation-to-nation celebration of humankind’s accomplishments,” that shines world attention on the host city, province and country.

“A World Expo in 2025 can capitalize significant city-building opportunities and act as a catalyst to reach valuable, needed and worthwhile city-building goals,” the motion states. “It can accelerate new economic development opportunities for new investments in Toronto’s waterfront, infrastructure, transit and cultural facilities.”

City staff would report back on factors including the bid process, potential competition, the number and types of jobs Expo would create, the amount of revenue it could bring the city, potential legacies and the history of past council Expo decisions.

On May 19, when the Star made public the push for a new Expo bid, Wong-Tam (Ward 27, Toronto Centre-Rosedale) said discussions were “very early in exploration.” People involved say, since then, support has grown.

The deadline to submit a bid for Expo 2025 will be in 2016.

Thompson (Ward 37, Scarborough Centre) believes council has to at least consider the possible of hosting the global event.

“Clearly it could create jobs and could brand Toronto as an international city where amazing things happen,” Thompson said Wednesday.

Asked if some in Mayor Rob Ford’s inner circle might find the idea too grand, Thompson said: “We need to be grand, we need to focus on opportunities and options for Toronto’s enormous talents. But we need a report to see if hosting is viable.”

Thompson said he is proceeding after having general discussions with Ford’s staff.

Council in 2006 was eager to bid on Expo 2015 but final preparations fell apart after Ottawa and the province were unable to agree who would pick up a projected deficit of $700 million to $2.2 billion. The city instead won Pan Am Games hosting rights for that year.

Canada has hosted two Expos — Montreal in 1967 and Vancouver in 1986.