Calgary councillor still thinks city can’t afford the games
Posted October 27, 2018 4:29 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
CALGARY (660 NEWS) — Sources confirmed on Friday that the federal government would be willing to spend up to $1.75 billion on a 2026 winter Olympic bid.
The money is attached to two conditions, a “yes” vote in the plebiscite on November 13 and the money would have to be matching, meaning the province and/or city would have to provide more money.
Ward Four Councillor Sean Chu, doesn’t want the Olympics.
“If the province comes in at $1.5 billion even, the city has to come up with $8 million and that’s way too much.”
The city has yet to announce how much it’s willing to spend on the games, the budget is set to come out on November 14, a day after the plebiscite.
Chu and Ward 11 Councillor Jeromy Farkas are pushing administrators to release the budget before the vote.
“I thought this was some sort of mistake, but from what I heard at council is it was intentional to do it this way,” said Farkas.
“I think it is just really relevant information, I think Calgarians should know what council is thinking before you decide whether or not we can host the Olympics.”
In a statement to 660 NEWS, Calgary 2026 wrote, “We are pleased with the keenness of the Federal government on the project. We are still in negotiations and can’t comment further.”.
Alberta’s finance minister is not happy with a calgary olympic financing proposal by the federal government.
Provincial Finance Minster standing firm at $700M cheque
Minister Joe Ceci accuses the feds of “bad faith” by “negotiating through the media” on the issue. A source from the federal government reported it would fund up to $1.75-billion for Calgary to host the games.
Ceci says he is firm on Alberta condributing $700 million should Calgary get the Olympic bid.
Calgarians will vote on whether they want to host the olympics in a Nov. 13 plebiscite.
-with files from Carly Robinson, CityNews Edmonton
