Canadian province Alberta cancels bid for 2030 Commonwealth Games

Alberta: Apna Punjab Media: The government of Alberta has pulled its support for a bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games due to rising costs.
A joint bid was being considered by the Canadian province, centred around the cities of Edmonton and Calgary.
Tourism and Sport Minister Joseph Schow said the bill was estimated at C$2.7bn (£1.5bn; $2bn) – a burden “too high for the province to bear”.
Last month Australia pulled out of hosting the 2026 games in Victoria due to budget blowouts.
The initial plan was to host the games over 11 days in August 2030 with competitions and events spread between Calgary and Edmonton, as well as the Tsuut’ina Nation and Enoch Cree Nation.
Alberta’s withdrawal means there are currently no other firm bids to host the 2030 Games.
In a statement Mr Schow suggested the corporate sponsorship model and limited broadcast revenues would have put 93% of costs and risks on taxpayers.
He insisted the authorities wanted to be transparent about funding and demonstrating a return on investment.
“That is why we have made the decision not to continue pursuing the bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
Alberta’s provincial government said it had committed up to C$2m (£1.2m) to explore the feasibility of hosting the Games – and the city of Edmonton another C$1m (£590,000), according to Reuters.
Commonwealth Sport Canada had been expected to complete a feasibility study this month ahead of a formal bid.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek’s office told Canada’s national public broadcaster CBC the bid was finished without support from the province.