Watchdog forces Calgary firm into receivership

Polling that shows 61 per cent of Calgarians support another bid for hosting the Winter Olympics boosts what seems an underdog position, says one city councillor.

The results of a Mainstreet survey commissioned by Postmedia that shows backing for a city bid for the 2026 Games comes as a surprise, said Coun. Andre Chabot, a 2017 mayoral candidate.

“It’s interesting to see or hear that kind of response,” he said.

“We’ve seen comments to the contrary, that during tough times, this is not the time for this kind of thing.”

While Chabot said he’s undecided on whether the city should enter into the running for the Games, he signalled approval for the poll’s results.

“It’s good to see people aren’t opposed to at least us exploring the idea,” he said.

The poll also found 28 per cent opposed to a bid and 11 per cent unsure.

A committee appointed by the city is undertaking a $5-million feasibility study, which includes its own online survey, a more formal poll and discussions with stakeholders.

By July, a report will go to city council, which will make a decision on whether to pursue the Games.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi welcomed the poll as more information but emphasized the role of the commission in gauging public opinion.

“We will take a look at that data in the context of all the analysis done,” he said.

But he said the most important determination will come from whether the bid would be “open, honest, transparent and cheap.

“If we can’t figure out a way to do those things, then I’m sure council won’t agree to the bid.”

He said major opposition typically exists in any city pondering a bid, and that while acknowledging the poll shows definite support, “a lot of people have a lot of questions.”

Though civic pride was cited by 64 per cent of pro-bid respondents as the reason for their sentiment, Nenshi said a common question he’s heard is how a 2026 Games would refurbish facilities from the 1988 Games or add new ones.

More decisive than public opinion, he said, is the willingness of other levels of government to fund another Olympics.

Those expressing enthusiasm for a bid through the poll should pause to consider their cost and the financial risks to the city, which would be left to cover any losses, said Coun. Druh Farrell.

“I can understand why people would be excited by the possibility, but it’s critical we look beyond the excitement,” she said. “The municipality accepts all overruns. It could be a blank cheque.”

It’s possible many survey respondents aren’t aware how much the Winter Olympics have grown since Calgary last hosted them 29 years ago, with the security tab alone now in the billions of dollars, she said.

The city has bigger priorities, said Farrell, such as preventing a repeat of the 2013 floods and construction of the multibillion-dollar Green Line LRT project linking the city’s far north-centre to the deep southeast.