Federal government backs Toronto's bid for Pan Am Games

The federal government is throwing its support behind Toronto's bid to host the 2015 Pan American Games.

Ontario government officials received word late Thursday of the backing by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The bid also involves municipalities in Niagara, Durham and as far north as Lake Simcoe.

The move clears the way for Premier Dalton McGuinty to travel to Beijing next week to lobby the Pan American Sports Organization's voting members, now in China for the Olympics.

Ontario wants about $600 million from Ottawa for the Pan Am event. It's estimated the Games will create $2 billion in economic activity. 

Other cities believed to bidding against Toronto are Bogota, Caracas and Lima. 

The winning bid will be announced next year.