EDMONTON – Edmonton has bowed out of the bidding process for the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Mayor Don Iveson (I-VAH-SUN) says the province advised the city that it can’t give $800 million of the $1 billion needed to stage the games.

Alberta Tourism Minister Maureen Kubinec says the government is not in a position to financially support the costs associated with not only a bid, but with further costs beyond the bidding process.

Durban, South Africa is the lone remaining bidder for 2022.

Iveson says the city intends to bid on the 2026 games.

Kubinec said any city in Alberta that wants to bid on major events in the next few years will not be able to rely solely on the province for funding.

“Should Edmonton or any city decide to proceed with any future bids, the economic context must be favourable and the bid must have the full support of all three orders of government,” Kubinec said in a news release late Tuesday afternoon.

The Commonwealth Games are held once every four years. The next games will be held in Gold Coast, Australia.

(CHED, The Canadian Press)