The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is calling on the governments of Calgary, Edmonton and Alberta to hold a referendum on whether or not Alberta’s two largest cities should pay to play host to the Commonwealth Games in 2030..“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,” Alberta Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation Kris Sims said. .“We need a vote on this before a single nickel of taxpayers’ 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.”.On Wednesday, Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek and Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi joined forces to announce an Alberta bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games..This time, it's a joint bid, with both Calgary and Edmonton groups getting in on the action, ostensibly to share costs..READ MORE: Alberta group says no taxpayer funding for Commonwealth Games.But, the potential cost for a joint Calgary-Edmonton bid for the 2030 Commonwealth has yet to be determined..Gondek said Wednesday she’s not sure if Calgarians need to vote in a plebiscite before being made to pay to help host the event..“I don’t know where things are going to land through the exploration so not sure yet it will require a plebiscite,” said Gondek..“I am really hopeful people will see the value of this type of investment.”.“Mayor 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.”.The UCP announced the province will contribute up to $2 million and the cities of Edmonton and Calgary are promising another $1 million each to the bid.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is calling on the governments of Calgary, Edmonton and Alberta to hold a referendum on whether or not Alberta’s two largest cities should pay to play host to the Commonwealth Games in 2030..“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,” Alberta Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation Kris Sims said. .“We need a vote on this before a single nickel of taxpayers’ 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.”.On Wednesday, Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek and Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi joined forces to announce an Alberta bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games..This time, it's a joint bid, with both Calgary and Edmonton groups getting in on the action, ostensibly to share costs..READ MORE: Alberta group says no taxpayer funding for Commonwealth Games.But, the potential cost for a joint Calgary-Edmonton bid for the 2030 Commonwealth has yet to be determined..Gondek said Wednesday she’s not sure if Calgarians need to vote in a plebiscite before being made to pay to help host the event..“I don’t know where things are going to land through the exploration so not sure yet it will require a plebiscite,” said Gondek..“I am really hopeful people will see the value of this type of investment.”.“Mayor 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.”.The UCP announced the province will contribute up to $2 million and the cities of Edmonton and Calgary are promising another $1 million each to the bid.
