Quote:
Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis
Right, but my argument isn't totally about the risk being carried by us. It's about that we can't secure funding for things without there being a flashy event tied in. Someone mentioned Edmonton has three fieldhouses and we have none. Well yeah, because they had the political will to get it done. We've had the fieldhouse on the wish list for like what, 30 years? And apparently the only way it can get done is the Olympics. Apparently not for Edmonton (thrice), but whatever. In some ways this whole bid actually seems more like a bailout package to make up for funding we didn't have the political will to commit to.
|
It's the reality of the political economy we live in, which is unfortunate but true. If Calgary has to use the Olympics as a vehicle to get infrastructure funding for a number of things - including near end-of-life facilities - then I am happy to support it. I don't think Justin Trudeau (or even Jason Kenney/Andrew Scheer) is going voluntarily give up billions of dollars so Calgary can catch up on infrastructure development. We can either sit an kvetch or we can play the game.
At least with the Olympics we can get that funding and provide opportunities for local businesses to benefit down the line (e.g. supplies, transportation logistics, construction, tourism, etc.) and with an international eye on our changing city.