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News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa, July 5, 2005 - Summer is a special time of year inside Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) institutions across the country. In keeping with a long tradition, CSC opens its doors to developmentally challenged athletes living in communities who compete in a series of fun-filled sporting events and activities designed especially for them. All year federal inmates, with the help of CSC staff and in most cases Citizens' Advisory Committee members, plan and organize so that these special people have a day or two in the spotlight.

The tradition of staging these Olympiads started at Collins Bay Institution in Ontario 28 years ago. Since then they have grown in size and spread across the country. Springhill Institution in Nova Scotia is hosting its third year of competition; events at Leclerc Institution in Quebec have been running since 1987; and Mission Institution in British Columbia has had similar activity days for more than 20 years.

"The special Olympiads are an opportunity for offenders to contribute positively to society and to see the impact of their goodwill firsthand; this is important learning in terms of social responsibility," says Lucie McClung, Commissioner of CSC. "For participants and those who witness their joy, it can be one of the most exhilarating times in their lives."

Staff see the Olympiads as an opportunity for offenders to demonstrate their reintegration potential and take part in initiatives that benefit the community.

Events will be held in:

• Springhill Institution (Springhill, Nova Scotia) on July 6;
• Leclerc Institution (Laval, Quebec) on July 8;
• Collins Bay Institution (Kingston, Ontario) on July 23 and 24; and
• Mission Institution (Mission, British Columbia) on August 18.

Media are invited to attend the events in any of the four locations.

For further information, please contact the following: