A disappointed Commonwealth Sport Canada says Victoria’s decision to withdraw as host of the 2026 Commonwealth Games played a big part in Alberta pulling its support for the 2030 bid.

The province of Alberta withdrew its support on Thursday (local time) for a bid centred around Calgary/Edmonton to host the 2030 Games, ending any chance of bringing the multisport showcase event back to Canada for its centennial.

Commonwealth Sport Canada was expected to complete the feasibility study within weeks, when a decision would be made on whether to submit a formal bid.

But that call was taken out of its hands on Thursday with Alberta’s decision.

“Commonwealth Sport Canada has been informed by the Alberta government that they have decided to discontinue the exploration of a 2030 Commonwealth Games Bid,” Commonwealth Sport Canada said in a statement.

“We believe the recent decision by the Victorian government to withdraw from the 2026 Commonwealth Games was a significant factor in Alberta’s decision, as well as an overdependence on taxpayers’ support for the planning and delivery of the Games.

“Commonwealth Sport Canada is profoundly disappointed in Alberta Government’s decision but respects their right to make this decision.”

The decision was another blow for the embattled Commonwealth Games Federation after the Ontario city of Hamilton, which hosted the inaugural Games in 1930, suspended its bid and Victoria last month withdrew as host of the 2026 Games due to projected cost overruns.

The Alberta bid was scuttled for similar reasons.

“We promised to remain transparent with Albertans about the costs of hosting international sporting events and clearly demonstrating a return on our investment for the people and communities of Alberta,” wrote Mackenzie Blyth, press secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Sports Joseph Schow in an email to CBC.

“In the case of the 2030 Commonwealth Games, the numbers just didn’t add up for our government to commit taxpayers’ money with the games estimated to cost $C2.68 billion ($3 billion).”

The Alberta government had committed up to $2 million and the city of Edmonton another $1 million to explore the feasibility of hosting the Games.

Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek’s office said in an emailed statement to the CBC that without the support of the province the bid was finished.

“The provincial government’s decision to withdraw from Alberta’s 2030 Commonwealth Games bid process effectively terminates the bid and the City of Calgary’s participation,” the statement said.