Olympic bid opponents ‘outgunned’ by wealthier ‘Yes’ lobbying groups

The battle for the hearts and votes of Calgarians in the Nov. 13 Olympic plebiscite is shaping up as a David-versusGoliath affair between well-funded Yes groups, including the Calgary 2026 bid corporation, and a shoestring No group.

Unlike regular municipal elections, campaigners participating in the Nov. 13 plebiscite do not have to register and aren’t subject to financial disclosure rules requiring candidates to reveal details of donations they receive.

Both sides say they plan to run volunteer-led, grassroots campaigns focused on facts, though with less than two months remaining before Calgarians head to the polls, it’s apparent Yes-side groups have the advantage in numbers and budgets.

Yes Calgary 2026 says it’s close to reaching its goal of amassing 1,000 volunteers with a budget fuelled mostly by pin sales (which go for $20.26 each on its website). And, with the help of some donations, organizers say they ’ve raised about $20,000.

“I think we will spend every nickel we get. Right now, it’s not very much money,” said Stephen Carter, whose group has held a number of events and information sessions promoting the bid.

“We have received some donations from individuals who wanted to give a little bit more, but those donations are few and far between compared to the pin sales.”

Bolstering Yes Calgary’s efforts, though not directly associated, will be a marketing blitz by Tourism Calgary.

Ultimate Host 2026 will encourage tourism and related industries to vote in favour of the bid with a website, video and social media campaign, organizers said earlier this week. While Tourism Calgary is partly funded through grants from the city, the Ultimate Host campaign will be funded through a one-time grant from the Calgary Hotel Association and private partners who have offered pro bono support.

The biggest proponent of the bid going into the plebiscite will, of course, be the bid corporation, backed by a multimillion-dollar budget funded by taxpayers.

Calgary 2026 confirmed Tuesday that it will carry out communications and marketing ahead of the November vote.

“Our mandate is to develop and promote a responsible bid,” said CEO Mary Moran in council chambers earlier this week. “We would not give any (funds) to the Yes side or any to the No side, but we would engage in conversations with both groups.”

Facing off against the onslaught of professional campaigners and volunteers is Calgary ’s vastly lessexperienced No side.

Organizers with No Calgary Olympics say they haven’t collected any donations, but have spent around $2,000 on their campaign so far.

“We know that we’re outgunned, I think that is clear,” said Jeanne Mile with No Calgary Olympics. “But Calgary likes the underdog, Calgary listens to the underdog. It’s one of the great things I like about this city.”

Mile says her group has drawn inspiration from Boston’s successful bid opposition and is focusing on social media outreach. Her group is also hoping to participate in organized forums and debates closer to voting day.

City clerk Laura Kennedy says in many ways, the lead-up to the plebiscite will look like an ordinary municipal election campaign.

“I think you’ll have forums where people will speak for and against and there will be people there asking their questions, which is very similar to what you’d see in a regular election,” Kennedy said.

While the campaigners won’t have to formally register with Elections Calgary, they will have to abide by the usual election signage rules, Kennedy said.

Kennedy wouldn’t hazard a guess on voter turnout but pointed out that the city has rarely, if ever, conducted a stand-alone plebiscite. Plebiscites are typically wrapped into a general election — the last one being plebiscites on fluoride and VLTs in 1998, she said.

“In my experience, Calgarians are very engaged. They will come out and vote.”