CALGARY, AB: Today, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) applauded Calgary's city council unanimous vote to officially end the 2026 Olympic bid. 

"The majority of Calgary voters were loud and clear when they voted to end the Olympic bid and we are extremely pleased to see city council listening to taxpayers by finally putting an end to the 2026 bid," said Franco Terrazzano, CTF's Alberta Director. "While the province should have never committed a cent towards the Olympics, the government deserves credit for insisting on a city-wide plebiscite."

More than 56 per cent of Calgarians voted against hosting the Olympics in a plebiscite on Nov. 13.

Calgary 2026 was calling for taxpayers to contribute billions of dollars to host the Olympics. And with the Olympics, cost overruns are the rule not the exception. Since the 1960s, 19 Olympics have been over budget, averaging 156 per cent overruns during those games. With the federal and provincial governments both unwilling to cover all overruns, Calgary taxpayers were at risk of large tax increases. 

On Oct. 12, the government of Alberta announced that they would contribute $700 million towards Calgary's 2026 winter games. However, the government's support was contingent on Calgarians voting in favour of hosting the Olympics in the city-wide plebiscite. 

"Calgarians directly voted NO to the Olympics, but there was a deeper message sent to all levels of government," said Terrazzano. "Taxpayers are tired of higher tax bills, growing government debt and a lack of transparency. It's time for all levels of government to get their fiscal house in order."