CHQR Newsroom
11/2/2009
Calgary has pulled out of the race to host the 2017 World's Fair.
According to the city's number crunchers, the Expo bid and hosting efforts would have left taxpayers about $1 billion in the red.
Mayor Dave Bronconnier says it made no sense to forge on.
"You could build another leg of the LRT," Bronconnier said. "The west leg of the LRT is less money than it would cost to host an Expo."
The decision clears the way for Edmonton to move forward with its bid without having to compete with Calgary for provincial or federal funding.
"I hate losing to Edmonton," said Ald. Joe Connelly, who thinks city council made the wrong decision and threw in the towel far too early.
"But what I really hate is when we don't have the courage to show up for the fight."
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation applauds city council's decision, suggesting Expo wouldn't attract as many visitors as the past.
"It's time for Edmonton to follow Calgary's lead and get out of it," said CTF Alberta Director Scott Hennig.
"This would be a big burden."
The council vote in favour of abandoning the Expo bid was 10-4.
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