The unofficial results are in following the Calgary 2026 Olympic public plebiscite and Calgarians have voted no to go forward with the 2026 Olympic bid.
The unofficial number of votes cast was 171,750 (56.4 per cent) against Calgary hosting, to 132,832 (43.6 per cent) for Calgary hosting, for a total of 304,774 votes.
The city reacts as the results were made public
Unofficial #yycvote results for Vote 2018:
304,774 Ballots Cast
132,832 FOR Calgary hosting (43.6%)
171,750 AGAINST Calgary hosting (56.4%)— City of Calgary (@cityofcalgary) November 14, 2018
Thank you #yyc for making your voices heard. re #Calgary206 . As Calgarians, we share the same values and goals. This results allows us to continue to build a vibrant and robust future for Calgary. We can work together to set our priorities that meet our collective needs.
— No Calgary Olympics (@noyycolympics) November 14, 2018
The unofficial result of the Vote of the Electors/Olympics Plebiscite is NO.
Thank you to everyone who voted. I will have a lot to say tomorrow.
Watch for and update on the Ward 8 blog and an email from me, if you’re a subscriber. https://t.co/kojnFIoLJt #yycvote #vote2018
— Evan Woolley (@EWoolleyWard8) November 14, 2018
We believe #Calgary2026 was the best opportunity to unite our community around a new vision of hope and valuable lessons were learned for the future. We thank everyone who has put their hearts into the Calgary 2026 bid. Read our full statement here: https://t.co/FrfpdbYyPZ #yyc pic.twitter.com/mXOFdJgayV
— Calgary 2026 (@YYCGames2026) November 14, 2018
What Calgarians were saying throughout the day
Before the results came in, Calgarians took to social media to express their feelings about the bid.
A day before the vote, Calgarian Calin Way voiced frustration towads the locations of some designated polling stations.
I live less than 200m from a polling station for the #olympics2026 vote tomorrow. My polling station is 1.4km to the south…wtf?! Who drew these lines?! pic.twitter.com/uM2r3OP4la
— Calin Way (@CalinWay) November 13, 2018
Throughout the day, Calgarians in both camps were out rallying and campaigning until the final ballots were counted.
Yes, I am. Pls vote #Calgary. @yescalgary2026 ????????#YESCalgary2026 #yyc #yycplebiscite #VoteToday pic.twitter.com/soW16FFyRV
— Kim McNeil (@KimMcNeilYoga) November 13, 2018
Great way to spend a #yyc morning! In Calgary today I joined @franco_nomics @colincraig1 and other great people and pooches to spread the word: vote NOOOOO today! #NoCalgary2026 #olympics2026 Taxpayers across Canada can’t afford this Olympic bid! pic.twitter.com/zpsQZEP2CG
— Paige T. MacPherson (@paigemacp) November 13, 2018
Some Twitter users, like California1530, were busy providing some last minute information for voters who might still be on the fence.
#Calgary votes today. This graphic helps to provide the right answers around some of #Calgary2026 Myths. Those going to vote can find details here https://t.co/z3ds30MItr #govote #yescalgary #mythbusters #yyc #Calgary pic.twitter.com/mph5ujl13N
— Cali (@california1530) November 13, 2018
One junior high teacher from Calgary shared that his grade nine students were particularly interested in today’s plebiscite.
Hey @nenshi my @WeAreLouisCBE grade 9 students wanted to ask why they can’t vote in today’s #olympic2026 plebiscite considering long term effects (positive or negative) will have a direct impact on their future. #olympics #engagedstudents #informeddecision
— Mr. Erickson (@ateachersaurus) November 13, 2018
Calgarian Trent Johnsen expressed concern over Calgary’s Olympic bid, as he fears that billions of funds and temporary jobs will evaporate once the games are over.
Imagine 3 weeks after #Calgary2026 #Olympics-$Billions in public funds gone. News cycle moved on. Temporary jobs gone. No new arena, no Airport train. Tickets to hockey, figure skating,even curling were too $$ so U didn’t see anything but hundreds of millions in debt
VOTE NO!— Trent Johnsen (@trentjohnsen) November 6, 2018
Gord Gillies of Global News Calgary said that he feels the Olympics are a part of Calgary’s DNA and that The Games will be as great in 2026 as they were in 1988.
I love that we have a say in this Olympic dream. Voted YES in the advance & remain optimistic. Why? I just think being an Olympic city is part of our DNA. It was amazing in ‘88 and will be again in 2026. If No, let’s get cracking on another great vision. @yescalgary2026 #yyc
— Gord Gillies (@Gord_Gillies) November 13, 2018
Editors Note: This story will be updated throughout the night as further information becomes available.
Editors: Nathan Kunz & Colin Macgillivray | nkunz@cjournal.ca & cmacgillivray@cjournal.ca