Ministerial Messages

The Honourable David Emerson

Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics

The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia, will be an opportunity for Canada to highlight the excellence of our athletes, the vitality of our culture, and our sense of hospitality.

The Government of Canada is proud to be a major partner of the Games. Having invested over $550 million in the Games, our commitment to success is clear.

Planning for 2010 gives us a chance to promote health and fitness and to demonstrate Canada's diversity and excellence to the world. Most importantly, it allows us to build a legacy that benefits businesses, communities and citizens, and lives on long after the Games have ended.

Already, we're seeing enthusiasm build across the country. Canada's cultural Olympiad has officially begun. The Olympic and Paralympic flags have arrived in Canada. And construction of venues has begun.

Together we're working to make Canada's Games the best Games ever.

As Minister for International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver–Whistler Olympics, I encourage everyone to follow the progress of this important project.

Over the coming months and years, the Government of Canada will be working with its partners to promote the Games across the country and around the world.  I hope you'll visit this site often to discover more about our involvement and about our partners and ongoing developments and achievements.

This is an important opportunity for Canada. It's a great opportunity for all of us.

Read Minister Emerson's Biography.

The Honourable Michael D. Chong

President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister for Sport

Sport Canada is proud to support our Olympic and Paralympic athletes as they prepare to take on the world in 2010. Many of our athletes dream about the chance to go for the gold at home in front of Canadian fans; Vancouver–Whistler 2010 is a wonderful opportunity for them to turn their years of determination and hard work into success that all Canadians can be proud of.

To help bring about this success, Sport Canada has teamed up with key partners in the sport community to create Own the Podium – 2010. This initiative provides additional funding to Canadian athletes, coaches, and support personnel to help them achieve podium success in 2010. Its ultimate goal is to help Canada become the number one nation in terms of medals won at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and to place in the top three at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

Sport Canada also provides financial support to Canadian national and multi-sport organizations, and direct assistance to high performance athletes and coaches. This support helps the athletes who represent Canada internationally to pursue their quest for excellence and shine at major competitions. We are demonstrating our ongoing commitment to developing sport in Canada with an annual investment of $140 million in amateur sport.

Canadians take pride in seeing their fellow citizens pursue their goals at the highest levels and compete against the best in the world. The success of our athletes on the world stage inspires people of all ages, and these successes reflect positively on Canada's reputation in the international community as a major sporting nation.

As President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, and Minister for Sport, I look forward to working with my colleagues, our federal partners, provinces and territories, sport organizations, and the private sector as Canada gears up to welcome one of the biggest events in the world, and celebrate and showcase Canada's athletic excellence.

Read Minister Chong's Biography.