Canada's Sport Minister to Officially Open the Prince George 2015 Canada Winter Games

Government of Canada celebrates the important role of the Canada Games in producing our next generation of national and international champions


PRINCE GEORGE, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Feb. 13, 2015) - Department of Canadian Heritage

The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), will officially open the 25th edition of the Canada Games during the opening ceremony tonight in Prince George. The honour of declaring the Games open recognizes the Government of Canada's longstanding commitment to the Canada Games, our country's largest domestic multi-sport event and an important step for the next generation of Canada's national and international champions.

One of the signature events during the Year of Sport in Canada, the Prince George 2015 Canada Winter Games, will run from February 13 to March 1, 2015. This is the third time British Columbia has hosted the Games (1973 - New Westminster/Burnaby; 1993 - Kamloops), but the first time hosting a Winter Games.

Quick Facts

  • The Government of Canada is investing $18.97 million to support the Prince George 2015 Canada Winter Games:
  • The Prince George 2015 Canada Winter Games Host Society will receive, through Sport Canada, up to $11.12 million for the delivery of the Games, including $3 million for capital expenses and $8.12 million for operational expenses.
  • The Canada Games Council will receive up to $7.7 million through Sport Canada to support the cost of transporting participants from all provinces and territories.
  • The Host Society will also receive $150,000 through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund in support of Coldsnap, the Prince George Winter Music Festival, a companion event during the 2015 Canada Winter Games.
  • For the 2014-2015 fiscal year, the Government of Canada, through Sport Canada's Sport Support Program, has contributed $893,320 to the Canada Games Council to support their ongoing work.
  • The Prince George 2015 Canada Winter Games will attract more than 2,400 athletes, including over 170 athletes with a physical and/or intellectual disability, from all 13 provinces and territories.
  • About 36 percent of athletes who represented Canada at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games-and 41 percent of our medallists-were Canada Games alumni. At the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, 27 percent of our athletes, and 31 percent of our medals, came from Canada Games alumni.

Quotes

"As this is the Year of Sport in Canada, I am particularly honoured to officially open the Prince George 2015 Canada Winter Games. The Government of Canada has been a longstanding partner in the Canada Games, as they are a fantastic celebration of Canadian sport and our culture that let our athletes and their coaches and supporters come together from every corner of our great country. I look forward to cheering on all of the competitors and I encourage all Canadians to do the same as we celebrate this signature event during the Year of Sport."

-The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport)

"The Government of Canada, along with our other government partners, are truly the backbone of the Canada Games and allow us the opportunity to inspire dreams and build champions. Having the Canada Games be a signature event of the Year of Sport allows Canadians the opportunity to celebrate the role that sport plays in our country and enjoy watching our top young Canadian athletes get their first taste of multi-sport competition."

-Tom Quinn, Chairman, Canada Games Council

"We are so proud to host the nation and showcase our region's northern story. With the support of our funding parties, including the Government of Canada, we will deliver a truly unique and magical event for all Canadians."

-Stuart Ballantyne, Chief Executive Officer, Prince George 2015 Canada Winter Games Host Society

Associated Links

Canada.ca/CanadaGames

Year of Sport in Canada

Canada Arts Presentation Fund

Canada Games Council

Prince George 2015 Canada Winter Games (official site)

Coldsnap - The Prince George Winter Music Festival

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Contact Information:

Robert Lynch
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Bal Gosal, P.C., M.P.
Minister of State (Sport)
819-934-1122
robert.lynch@sports.gc.ca

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca