It has been named Commonwealth Sport Canada's preferred bidder for the Games in seven years' time after Hamilton's proposal was shelved due to a lack of Government support, with a formal application to the Commonwealth Games Federation targeted for later this year.

Calgary in Alberta previously hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics and attempted to bid for the 2026 edition, only for the bid to collapse after it was rejected in a public vote.

However, Smith insisted that a regional proposal for the 2030 Commonwealth Games was realistic.

"The Commonwealth is a little bit different because it’s summer Games and is less costly, less risky, I think," she told QR Calgary 770AM radio.

"But it’s also going across more jurisdictions."

However, she would not commit to holding a referendum on the bid.

"We’ll have a full public conversation," Smith added.

"I don’t think the report is going to be available or the final decision needs to be made until August.

"So, there will still be lots of opportunity to have input."

Alberta 2030 Commonwealth Games Corporation spokesperson Chris Dornan claimed that a public vote would not be suitable in this instance.

"This will help people potentially see themselves within the Games and better understand the widespread positive impacts a multi-sport Games can have on communities across the province far beyond sport," Dornan said, as reported by the Calgary Herald.

"Plebiscites don’t allow people to really understand the project."

Campaign groups including the Canadian Taxpayers Federation have appealed for referendums in Calgary and Edmonton over the proposal.

The Tsuut’ina Nation have been included in the possible Alberta bid, and Smith suggested that the Enoch Cree Nation and Canmore could be added.