Games push taking talent from revival of economy
The departure of the CEO of Calgary Economic Development to steer the city’s possible Olympic bid amid crucial efforts to revive the city’s fiscal fortunes has drawn concerns from critics.
On Tuesday, it was revealed Mary Moran would head Calgary 2026, the $30-million corporation exploring the merits of Calgary hosting the 2026 Winter Games.
It comes weeks after Calgary Economic Development board member Scott Hutcheson assumed the post as Calgary 2026 chair, and four months after city council approved using $100 million from city reserves to help kick start Calgary’s economy, partly by leveraging those funds to fill vacant downtown office space.
Those appointments only magnify concerns the city’s pursuit of a possible Games bid is skewing priorities at a time of continued economic challenges, said Colin Craig, Alberta director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
“There’s a real lack of investor confidence and what are the ramifications down the road with that, and yet we’re focused on putting on this massive two-week party,” he said.
“The optics are certainly questionable, there’s a real disconnect.”
He also said reluctance by Calgary 2026 to reveal compensation for Moran, who’s taking a leave of absence from economic development to assume her new post Aug. 13, is unacceptable.
Ward 11 Coun. Jeromy Farkas, who’s been a vocal critic of an
This could be about setting back economic goals in favour of other priorities.
Olympic bid, echoed those sentiments.
“(Moran) is not the first talent departure from Calgary Economic Development,” said Farkas, referring to Hutcheson.
“This could be about setting back economic goals in favour of other priorities.”
He said it’s important Calgary 2026 embrace transparency in its governance to show there’s no “conflicts of interest” that would put Calgarians’ interests at risk, though Farkas didn’t explain what that might mean.
“This is the first real test of transparency for (Calgary 2026), I would like to see the leadership more proactively and voluntarily submit to information disclosure,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s public money and the public deserves to know how much Moran is paid.”
Last week, city council turned back a motion put forward partly by Farkas to make Calgary 2026 subject to the same freedom of information laws applying to other public bodies in the province.
On Tuesday, Hutcheson said Moran’s compensation wasn’t “necessary information (for) the public” but on Wednesday said that number’s not available yet.
“We’re trying to get a contract in place … we think we know what the range will be,” he said.
“We’re going to be as transparent as possible, to get the community the information it needs.”
With Calgary Economic Development chair Steve Allan stepping into Moran’s shoes, he said the $100-million Calgary Opportunity Investment Fund is in good hands.
“Mary’s team was set up well to bring this forward and, under Steve’s capable leadership, nothing will suffer … it’s set up well on its pipeline of deals,” Hutcheson said.
He said he’s worked closely with Moran on a number of economic development fronts, including attempts to woo Amazon and on the investment fund.
He was one of five Calgary 2026 executives who determined Moran was highly qualified to take its CEO reins.
“She has a really good understanding of how this city works, of its culture and its economic heart and understands the province’s circumstances,” said Hutcheson.
Farkas agreed Moran is highly competent and appears well-suited for the Olympic post.
“I’m sure Moran is qualified,” he said.
Moran didn’t respond to a request for an interview Wednesday.
Council on Monday voted to set Sept. 10 as a deadline for clarity on commitments on funding for the Games bid from the province and Ottawa, with failure to secure them possibly putting an end to the effort.