New Brunswick balks at skyrocketing cost of 2021 Francophonie Games

FREDERICTON •The2021 Francophonie Games, expected to attract athletes from around the world, may prove too costly for New Brunswick’s new Tory government.

Cost estimates have ballooned to $130 million from the original bid of $17 million and new Premier Blaine Higgs says his government won’t cover the extra costs.

He said he wants the games — to be held in Moncton and nearby Dieppe — but will only abide by the previous Liberal government’s $10-million commitment and no more.

“This is becoming, as we’ve seen with Olympic Games, Winter Games and the recent decision with Calgary, these are becoming so expensive that communities can’t afford them,” Higgs said.

“If you look at the size of New Brunswick, populationwise and economically, it becomes more than this province can bear on its own.”

The Francophonie Games, which Canada last hosted in Ottawa-Gatineau in 2001, are expected to attract roughly 3,000 athletes from 80 member states that have French as a common language.

The premier said the escalating cost should have been resolved by the previous Liberal government.

He’s turning to the federal government to come up with a solution for the rest, but those relations are a bit frosty after Higgs cancelled a number of federal-provincial projects.

“We know what we’re committed to and we said we’d abide by that, so it’s in the federal government’s court. That’s where it will be, and they can make that decision,” Higgs said.

Five members of the games organizing committee resigned on Wednesday, with four explicitly citing the controversy.

“We hope that these resignations will allow the partners to return to the negotiating table in a healthier media and political climate,” the four members said in a statement.

The board of directors for the organizing committee issued a statement Thursday, saying they recognize the province’s economic challenges and are open to evaluating different financing options.