CALGARY, AB: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation responded to the announcement that Calgary council will make its final decision on funding a new arena for the Flames on July 29, allowing for only one week of public consultation on a project that will cost the city nearly $300 million.

“Calgary councillors should be ashamed of themselves for trying to ram through a deal for the Flames behind closed doors before taking off for summer holidays,” said Franco Terrazzano, Alberta Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. “The transparency and consultation on the this project has been a failure. All of council saw the deal for the first time today and now the public only has one week to provide input. Why is the city in such a rush to push through this deal?”

If the current funding deal is approved by Calgary city council, the city will be required to fund $275 million for the new arena along with $15.4 million for land and transactional costs and Saddledome demolition.

Calgary council heard the details of the deal for a new professional arena Monday, July 22, and will vote on whether to approve the project on Monday, July 29, leaving only a week for the public to provide input and for councillors to analyze the feedback. Councillors are then scheduled to leave for summer break on Aug. 1.

Council announced the tentative deal with the Flames amidst budget cuts that are expected to include cuts to police and fire services along with public transit.

“Calgary councillors appear ready to ram through a deal that would give hundreds of millions of dollars to the Flames owners and tomorrow they will be discussing budget cuts including cuts to emergency services,” said Terrazzano. “This lack of transparency and prioritization is mind-blowing.

“Are councillors working for the Calgary Flames or Calgary taxpayers?”