Calgary's Olympic bid won't be subject to freedom of information laws

The organization tasked with Calgary's Olympic bid will remain outside Alberta's freedom of information rules.

Council rejected a motion Tuesday to ask the provincial government to make that law apply to Calgary 2026.

City solicitor Glenda Coletold council that the bid corporation is a private company. She said much of its information could be withheld through the FOIP process, given the competitive nature of bidding for the Olympics.

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Cole said Vancouver's Olympic committee did regularly share some information publicly and she hopes Calgary's bid chairman Scott Hutcheson will do something similar.

"Ihave shared that information with Mr. Hutcheson," she said. "He is aware of it. I'm sure he will do the best he can to make information transparent while still making sure he keeps Calgary 2026 the City of Calgary and the members of Calgary 2026 able to bid on the Olympic games should you wish to do so."

CEO compensation

Hutcheson, however, declined to reveal the compensation package for Mary Moran, who was announced as the CEO of Calgary 2026 on Tuesday.

"We actually haven't signed a contract. We're working off of good faith to get Mary in this role and Idon't think she starts for a week or two," he said.

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When asked if her compensation will be disclosed once there's a contract in place, Hutcheson wouldn't commit.

"Idon't think so," he said."Idon't think that's necessary information in the public but, you know, we can look at that."

Hutchesondid, however, say that Moran would be eligible for bonusesif a plebiscite passes and if Calgary actually wins the right to hostthe 2026 games.

Public money

CouncillorsSean Chu andJeromyFarkassaid the corporation should be more transparent because it is funded with public money.

Their colleagues disagreed.

"Coun.Chu and Coun.Farkas were looking to get their name in the newspaper, and this was an effort that they made that other than the two of them, the vast majority of council didn't support, saidCoun. EvanWoolley,who chairs council's Olympics assessment committee.

"And so the question had been answered many times at committee.Remember that this committee has been meeting weekly for months now."

• Frustrated Calgary council could end Olympic bid on Sept. 10

There's a potential special meeting of council set for Aug.27 that could result in a vote to halt work or continue.

Then on Sept.10, there'll be another discussion at council that could result in a vote to end Calgary'spursuit of the games, or allow the work to continue.

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With files from ScottDippel.