Alberta pulls support from 2023 Commonwealth Games bid

The Alberta government has pulled its support for a bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.

In a statement to CityNews Thursday, the province says the costs of hosting the event were a large reason for the decision.

“In the case of the 2030 Commonwealth Games, the numbers just didn’t add up for our government to commit taxpayer’s money with the games estimated to cost $2.68 billion,” the government said.

“The corporate sponsorship model and limited broadcast revenues for the Commonwealth Games would have put 93 per cent of financial burden and risks on Albertans.”

Amanda Espinoza, with the Alberta 2030 Commonwealth Games Corp., said in an email to CityNews that the province did not support bringing the games to Alberta.

“Over the past several months, we have worked closely with the Government of Alberta, City of Calgary, City of Edmonton, Government of Canada, Tsuut’ina Nation and Enoch Cree Nation, as well as dozens of other community partners to develop a compelling plan to host the Commonwealth Games in Alberta,” her emails reads.

“In less than a month, we were going to share the plan with the public and were eager to have an open dialogue about community priorities, advancing Reconciliation and building a vision as Albertans that we could collectively work towards.

“We are disappointed with the unexpected decision by the Government of Alberta and will not be commenting further at this time.”

Read More: Alberta explores 2030 Commonwealth Games bid

Meanwhile, Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said in a statement the province’s decision effectively “terminates the bid” and Calgary’s participation.

“Efforts to date have been focused on: 1) looking at the overall cost and financial return the Games could provide, 2) exploring opportunities for reconciliation, and 3) analyzing the benefits of hosting related to investments in community sports facilities with options to both upgrade and build new infrastructure,” her statement reads.

“I look forward to further discussions with the Province regarding the opportunities that remain for further investment in our sports and recreation facilities, as well as our ability to attract world-class athletes to our city.”

Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said in a statement there was enthusiasm in Alberta’s capital to “unite people worldwide in a celebration of sport and culture, advance reconciliation with our Indigenous partners and create infrastructure and program legacies for future generations.

“Sports are part of our DNA and we love how it brings people together,” he said. “Edmonton will continue hosting national and international events and showcase talented athletes of all ages and abilities while building legacies and lifetime memories for our community.”

This follows an announcement from Australia’s state, Victoria, withdrawing hosting duties for the 2026 games in July.

Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said his government had budgeted 2.6 billion AUD (CAD$2.27 billion) to stage the Games in five regional cities, but recent estimates put the potential cost as high as 7 billion AUD (CAD$6.1 billion).

The decision opened the door for Victoria, B.C., but the Victoria Times-Colonist reported the B.C. government would not consider a bid for 2026.

“We believe the recent decision by the Victorian government to withdraw from the 2026 Commonwealth Games was a significant factor in Alberta’s decision, as well as an over-dependence on taxpayer’s support for the planning and delivery of the Games,” Commonwealth Sport Canada added in its statement.

Former Alberta Culture Minister Jason Luan said in May the government would contribute up to $2 million to support the bid process.

Edmonton hosted the sporting event in 1978. The last time Canada hosted the Commonwealth Games was in 1994 in Victoria, B.C.

The Commonwealth Games are held every four years, featuring 6,500 athletes and coaches from 71 countries competing in summer sports.

The initial announcement stated the Games take place over 11 days in August 2030 in Calgary, Edmonton, Tsuut’ina Nation, the Bow Valley, and other Alberta communities.

Hamilton hosted the first iteration of the Commonwealth Games, the British Empire Games, in 1930. The city made the 100th anniversary its hook for a 2030 bid.

The southwestern Ontario city unsuccessfully pursued the 1994, 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Victoria was the last Canadian city to host in 1994.

Hamilton’s bid group had developed a fleshed out proposal of venues and possible benefits of a Games estimated to cost between $1 billion and $1.5 billion.

When Ontario denied Hamilton’s 2030 bid, Alberta’s became the preferred Canadian bid by Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC) in February.

“Commonwealth Sport Canada is profoundly disappointed in the Alberta government’s decision but respects their right to make this decision,” a statement from the CSC reads.

The 2022 Commonwealth Games were held in Birmingham, England.

-With files from The Associated Press, The Canadian Press, and Duncan Elias