Diane Colley-Urquhart reconsiders support for Calgary Olympic bid
Ward 13 councillor questions whether there's enough time to hold required plebiscite
Coun. Diane Colley-Urquhart voted in favour of creating a bid corporation so Calgary could pursue the 2026 Winter Olympics, but now she's having second thoughts.
Last month, council voted 8-6 to spend additional money and to form a bid corporation, provided the federal and provincial governments shared in the $30-million cost.
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The other governments have since agreed to contribute, but the province said the money is conditional on Calgary holding a plebiscite to gauge public support.
Tight timeline
Colley-Urquhart doesn't think there's enough time to hold a vote and is now questioning whether there's any point continuing.
"Based on this new information, the way I feel today, we need to put the brakes on this," she said.
Earlier this month, Mayor Naheed Nenshi said it would take at least four to six months to set up a plebiscite, leaving little wiggle room before the city must submit a bid to the International Olympic Committee in October.
Colley-Urquhart also said she's also unhappy with how word of the funding came out — late Thursday afternoon before a long weekend.
But the Ward 13 councillor said she'll keep an open mind during an upcoming committee meeting to discuss public engagement.
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