The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) and Institute for Public Sector Accountability (IPSA) announced today they are encouraging the public to urge Calgary’s city council to hold an Olympics plebiscite.

The two organizations are concerned about large property tax increases to pay for the games, as well as multiple economics reports that concluded the Olympics would not produce the economic gains that proponents suggest.

“A lot of families and businesses can’t afford a property tax increase to pay for the Olympics so it’s important for taxpayers to have some say before a bid moves forward,” said CTF Alberta Director Colin Craig. “Vancouver held a public vote before their city put in a bid, Calgary should too.”

“The federal and Alberta governments are accumulating enormous debts. It is inconceivable that they will contribute large sums for an Olympic bid. Therefore it is imperative that Calgary taxpayers who will pay must have a say,” said Marcel Latouche, President and CEO of IPSA.”

Latouche and Craig encouraged taxpayers to visit VoteOnOlympics.ca to sign the group’s petition and learn more.