TORONTO, Ontario Motor Coach Canada has criticized the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee for its handling of motorcoach transportation arrangements for the Winter Olympics next year.

In an editorial in its electronic newsletter, Motor Coach Canada said it had been contacted by members who reported they had signed contracts with Gameday Management and the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee for Olympic coach transportation but that they have been notified that the number of coaches was being cut back and at least one contract cancelled outright.

Gameday Management of Jacksonville, Fla., was hired by the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee to arrange for motorcoaches at the Olympics.

"MCC has questioned VANOC and is awaiting an answer. MCC again reminded Gameday/VANOC that they cannot use foreign drivers if Canadians are available for work. This action by Gameday/VANOC with no advance communication to the industry, after committing to be more open, is troubling.

"Editorial note: MCC does not create the rules. The American and Canadian governments have mirror legislation with respect to residents of one country working in the other country. Canadian bus drivers could not work (the) Salt Lake City Olympic Games unless no Americans were available.

"Similarly, Americans cannot work the Vancouver Games if Canadian drivers are available. It is the law.

"In our opinion it was wrong for Gameday (procurer for VANOC) to sign contracts with U.S. companies before they exhausted Canadian carriers in the first place, but that aside, canceling signed contracts with Canadian carriers, leaving Canadian drivers available for work while still contracting American carriers is wrong and in our opinion contrary to the law.

"VANOC is an entity of government and as such should be the first to be seen to set a good example and uphold the laws of Canada, not be skirting them."

Gameday Management sent a response to the Motor Coach Canada editorial.

Gameday said it has endeavored to use as many Canadian carriers as possible that responded before the June 1 deadline. Gameday also said that no contracts have been cancelled or reduced that were submitted by the June 1 contract completion deadline.

Further, they said there have been no reductions in the number of required motorcoaches since earlier this year. The confusion came because they say there was a small number of contracts that were received at least a month past the June 1 deadline.

However, Gameday said it was its intent to get those particular contracts re-included if there is an increase in the number of required motorcoaches for the games.