Jeromy Farkas calls for accountability on arena ticket tax: "Billionaires get a break, and we get the bill"
CALGARY — Mayoral candidate, and former City Councillor, Jeromy Farkas is calling for accountability after newly released documents show Calgarians will not only pay more than $500 million upfront for the new arena, but will also be forced to pay again through a ticket tax designed to help cover the private owners' share of the project.
“Calgarians got played,” said Jeromy. “Not only are we paying more than $500 million upfront, but now we’re stuck paying again every time we buy a ticket, to help cover the private owners’ share. Between money from The City, Province, and a ticket tax, the public is now on the hook for about 85 per cent of this deal.”
New reporting by CBC’s Scott Dippel shows that not only are taxpayers paying more than two-thirds of the overall cost, but the Flames ownership group (CSEC) will now use a ticket tax — paid by Calgarians themselves — to slowly cover most of their share over the next three decades. Worse still, the private owners will benefit from what amounts to a 35-year, interest-free loan on the taxpayers’ dime.
“Calgarians are being squeezed this year by an 8.9% property tax – $350 per year for the typical family – and City Council is helping the private owners squeeze us even more,” Jeromy said.
Jeromy questioned the priorities of “dealmakers” Mayor Jyoti Gondek and Councillor Sonya Sharp, as well as the rest of council, for unanimously backing the deal.
“Council found hundreds of millions for a private arena, but can’t seem to find the money for broken pipes, crumbling community facilities, or the basic services Calgarians rely on,” said Jeromy. “Like the unanimous vote that pushed this through behind closed doors, the priorities just don’t make sense.”
While the deal is now locked in, Jeromy is urging Council to guarantee that any money raised from the ticket tax beyond CSEC’s minimum payment must go directly into community infrastructure that benefits all Calgarians — not just the private owners of the Flames.
“While we can’t fix the past, we can ask for better and we can do better,” said Jeromy.
If elected mayor, Jeromy commits to:
Opposing any new arena-related taxes, fees, or surcharges without full public debate.
Ensuring excess ticket tax revenues go to accessible community facilities.
Delivering transparent, trusted leadership.
“Billionaires get a break, and we get the bill. There’s no easy way to say this: Calgary hasn’t gotten this badly hosed since Doug Gilmour was traded to the Leafs."
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Jeromy is available for interviews. He can be reached at media@jeromy.ca.
