Edmonton's Expo 2017 bid a no-go

[CHIMO]

"As much as Alberta could see the potential, our federal partner is not there. Our own minister, Minister Ambrose, completely failed to stand up for this city and province and in the end, her lack of support cost us this opportunity.

Edmonton was the only city in North America vying to host the world fair, but was waiting for Ottawa to commit to funding in order to prepare a bid package.

Mandel accused the government of not funding the bid because Alberta traditionally votes Conservative, and he believes the federal Tories would rather spend money in areas where they could gain seats.

"I get it: taking electoral success for granted here has become a habit," Mandel said. "The federal government will tell you this decision is about money and security, but there's no evidence to indicate that here."
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2010/11/22/edmonton-feds-kill-expo-bid.html
Monday, November 22, 2010 | 5:10 PM MT

[CHIMO]

1. No federal support for Edmonton Expo bid

EDMONTON — A furious Mayor Stephen Mandel ripped into the federal government Monday after learning it won’t support Edmonton’s bid to host Expo 2017.

He pinned the blame squarely on Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose, the region’s representative in cabinet, saying she didn’t do enough to sell the project to her colleagues.

“I was repeatedly in Ottawa, and every single MP I talked to said, ‘If your minister wants this, it will happen.’ It didn’t happen,” he told a news conference.

“Our minister was not able to convey the right message to the Members of Parliament, to the members of caucus … it’s her fault, her responsibility. It lies at her feet.”
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/federal+support+Edmonton+Expo/3868103/story.html

Some unhappy local politicians, to say it mildly. They wish that Landslide Anny was back in Ottawa!

[shockedcanadian]

2. One thing I will say...

Is that these types of events usually cost the taxpayeralot of coin with little to no gain. In tight times, it's hard to justify such expenses.

If in fact they do invest in something else, like say an arena in Quebec, then you might have your answer about possible motivations for spending.

[daleo]

3. A billion dollars for the Toronto G7/G20 meeting

Only to have another G20 meeting 3 months later in South Korea. It's hard to believe that waste of money will ever be topped.

[daleo]

4. Linda Duncan's seat is probably safe now. n/t

[CHIMO]

5. Hopefully Some More

Will come out of this.


Next time PM needs a favour, perhaps we will just turn away


It's fair to hold accountable Ambrose and other local Conservative MPs, especially considering the lack of negotiation with Franceschini's committee. But the uncomfortable truth is that we have only ourselves to blame for being such easy pickings for the Harper Conservatives.

No one else stuffs the ballot box full of Conservative votes election after election, decade after decade.

Perhaps most Edmontonians don't care about Expo and will support the Harper government's rejection of the bid.

But having been stonewalled, snubbed and rejected without appeal on a matter crucial to Edmonton's future, others will start thinking as Mandel is thinking, that the only effective method of showing our displeasure is at the ballot box.
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Next+time+needs+favour+perhaps+will+just+turn+away/3875036/story.html

Guess Stelmach is no Brad Wall. Maybe Alberta and Saskatchewan should trade?