Even though the province hasn't made any promises to support the city's 2017 Expo bid, Mayor Stephen Mandel seems confident in the proposal.
Mayor Mandel just returned from a trip in China where he toured the next World Exposition location.
Alberta's culture minister says without a surplus the province will be focusing on health care and education this year, but Mandel is still hopeful.
"We think it's an important venture for the city and you know we will see what they have to say," said Mandel. "We hope they support our bid, if they don't, they don't, but we'd be disappointed if they don't."
On Friday, the city formally asked the province for $1.5 million for the 2017 Expo bid. The city likely won't get an answer on their proposal until the provincial budget is unveiled in the spring.
If Edmonton wins the bid the event is expected to cost more than $3 billion to host.
