Toronto’s reputation as a host of major global events is riding on World Pride, say city councillors, who have thrown their unanimous support behind next June’s international gay pride celebration here.

Organizers, in turn, say they’re optimistic that enthusiasm will translate into the extra support and funding needed to ensure the 10-day event (June 20-29, 2014) is a success.

In 2009, Pride Toronto won a bid to make Canada’s largest city the first in North America to host World Pride 2014. The global event has previously been held in Rome, Jerusalem and London.

“What we heard in the committee today from the councillors inspired a great deal of confidence that the city will continue to be supportive and will step up,” said Kevin Beaulieu, executive director of Pride Toronto.

This year, Toronto’s homegrown Pride Week attracted an estimated 1.2 million people, including the Pride Parade and Dyke March. World Pride 2014 could double that number, with some 500,000 visitors coming from a distance of 80 or more kilometres away, organizers told the city’s economic and development committee Tuesday. It has the potential to be the biggest event Toronto has ever hosted.

“We have to do it right,” said Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, whose ward includes the Church-Wellesley gay village. She called it a “trial run” before the 2015 Pan Am Games.

“It’s a no-brainer to support,” added Councillor Gary Crawford and committee chair Michael Thompson concurred.

“It is time for us to roll up our sleeves and make sure it happens,” Thompson said. “Our reputation rides on this.”

Organizers want to expand the scope and scale of the city’s annual event by reaching into neighbourhoods outside the downtown core. “We want this to be something the entire city is able to take part in,” Beaulieu said after Pride Toronto’s pitch to the committee.

Plans are underway for an “enhanced” opening ceremony and flag raising in Nathan Phillips Square, an expanded parade route, a 10-day licensed festival in Allen Gardens and rainbow street markings, including banners wrapped around poles on the Don Valley Parkway.

A three-day conference on international human rights is also planned at the University of Toronto.

In addition to the economic spinoffs, the “legacy” of the event will be to make Toronto one of the world’s top ten LGBTQ tourist destinations, the organizers said.

The committee has asked staff to report back on the need for a World Pride city secretariat and “a financial plan to address outstanding needs highlighted in the presentation.” Beaulieu said it’s too soon to estimate how much World Pride 2014 will cost.

The city contributed $140,000 to this year’s $4.5 million Pride Week budget.

The provincial government has doubled its funding commitment to $670,000 for World Pride 2014.

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Beaulieu said Pride Toronto has received “a great deal of support” from Mayor Rob Ford’s office. While Ford has refused to attend the parade in the past, Beaulieu says there is an open invitation.

“He’s welcome to,” Beaulieu said. “He in fact joined us this year at our flag raising, and he would certainly be welcome.”