By Canadian Press

Quebec rejects bid for 2021 Francophonie Games bid, citing cost and time crunch

Apr 26, 2019 | 2:24 PM

QUEBEC — The Quebec government has abandoned the idea of bidding to hold the 2021 Francophonie Games in Sherbrooke, Que.

Maeva Proteau, a spokeswoman for International Relations Minister Nadine Girault, says the conditions were not right to stage a successful games.

New Brunswick abandoned the games in January, citing ballooning costs after the budget rose to $130 million from an original bid of $17 million.

The event brings together 3,000 athletes and artists from la Francophonie’s more than 50 member states.

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After Sherbrooke came forward as a potential host, the Quebec government said it was prepared to pay $17 million, but Ottawa would have to pay the majority of the bill if the event were to be staged in the province.

Proteau said today that for the games to go ahead, Quebec would have had to spend more than $30 million, and with the tight deadline there was a risk of cost overruns.

The Canadian Press