Alberta Commonwealth Games interest raises funding concerns: CTF
Posted Mar 9, 2023 4:23 pm.
Last Updated Mar 9, 2023 4:24 pm.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is asking for a public vote to decide whether the 2030 Commonwealth Games should be hosted in Alberta.
The federation says inflation has already taken a toll on people’s finances, adding more taxes will make things worse.
“People are fighting to afford groceries right now and there’s no way taxpayers should be forced to pay for an expensive global sporting event without even being asked first,” said Kris Sims, Alberta director for the CTF, in a release.
“We need a vote on this before a single nickel of taxpayer’s money is spent on this plan, because if taxpayers are going to get stuck with another big bill, the least the politicians can do is to ask us if we want to pay for it.”
The mayors of Calgary and Edmonton announced on Wednesday they would be exploring the possibility of a bid.
“The fact that this is being community led, right at the beginning, is a significant departure from what we saw with the Olympic bid. I don’t know where things are going to land through the exploration. So, not sure yet if it will require a plebiscite, we’re in very early days,” said Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek. “And I am really hopeful people will see the value of this type of investment.”
Sims says the mayor shouldn’t make assumptions about what people want.
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“Gondek should hear from the people in a referendum if she wants to know how much they value this event,” said Sims. “She shouldn’t just assume their agreement.”
Hamilton had considered a bid to host the 2030 Games, but was told by Commonwealth Sport Canada last month it was no longer the preferred candidate after the Ontario government didn’t commit to funding.
“In 2018, the working people and taxpayers of Calgary voted ‘NO’ to hosting the Olympics, even though fancy people and politicians really wanted to make them pay for it,” said Sims. “It’s important to give the people a say, so they need a vote on this.”
The successful host city for 2030 is expected to be named by the Commonwealth Games Federation in November. It is not clear whether cities in other countries have already submitted bids.
Victoria was the last Canadian host city in 1994. The Commonwealth Games were also held in Edmonton in 1978 and Vancouver in 1954.
— With files from The Canadian Press
