What's New

November 2, 2006

New Members Appointed to the Vancouver 2010 Organizing Committee Board of Directors
The Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver–Whistler Olympics, today announced the names of three new members who will serve in volunteer positions on the Board of Directors of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Peter Brown, of Vancouver, British Columbia; Jacques Gauthier, of Montreal, Quebec; and Carol Stephenson, of London, Ontario will join the 20-member Board of Directors committee as federal representatives. They bring a wealth of valuable expertise in leading and managing multi-faceted large-scale projects that will be essential as the 2010 Winter Games moves into its operational phase.

To read the news release and the biographies of the new Board members, please visit our newsroom.

September 16, 2006

Whistler Comes of Age With Athletes Village Ground-breaking.
The day began with the Honourable Gary Lunn – Minister of Natural Resources, representing the Honourable David Emerson - Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, the Honourable Colin Hansen, BC Minister of Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Asia-Pacific Initiative and the Olympics, Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) CEO John Furlong, City of Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan, and Chief Leonard Andrew of the Lil’wat Nation turning soil on the much anticipated Whistler Athletes Village.

The Honourable Gary Lunn and Lenka Prochazka from Whistler

“The Government of Canada is a proud supporter of the 2010 Winter Games.  We anticipate that Olympians and Paralympians will live an amazing experience in 2010,” said Minister Lunn. “The Whistler Athletes Village demonstrates Canada’s commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic movements and is an excellent example of lasting social and cultural legacies that will be left by the 2010 Winter Games.”

Site preparation began this July with the clearing of land.  Venue construction will commence in March 2007 and run through to 2009.  After the 2010 Winter Games, the Athlete’s Village will be handed over to the Resort Municipality of Whistler to become the town’s newest sub-divison, providing much needed housing space for the popular community.

Canada's New Government is a major partner in the 2010 Winter Games and has invested over $550 million towards their success. This includes $290 million for Olympic and Paralympic sport and event venues that will leave a lasting legacy long after the Games. In fact, as a proud supporter of the Paralympic Movement, our government also set-aside an amount of $20 million for the operations of the Paralympic component of the 2010 Winter Games.

September 16, 2006

“Wasn’t That a Party”! 2010 Paralympic Emblem Launch Draws Canada’s “Who’s Who”
On September 16, VANOC hosted a party featuring some of Canada’s best musical talents as the much-anticipated 2010 Paralympic emblem was unveiled before 3500 enthusiasts who joined in the celebrations.

The emblem is symbolic of “Man Becomes Mountain. A stylized, active human figure combined with a representation of the British Columbia landscape illustrates the Paralympic motto, “Spirit in Motion".  Highlighting the emblem launch were musical performances by Manitoba’s Chantal Kreviazuk, Toronto’s The Philosopher Kings, Vancouver’s energetic Spirit of the West, Vancouver blues legend Jim Byrnes, and Victoria’s Jeremy Fisher.  The live party was hosted by veteran Olympic Games television commentator, Brian Williams, and lawyer, Carla Qualtrough, a former National Team Paralympic swimmer.

"Canada has never hosted the Paralympic Winter Games. Whistler and Vancouver will be the first Canadian communities to host these Games in 2010," said Minister Emerson in a statement released to the media for the event. "I am convinced that the 2010 Winter Games will be filled with outstanding achievements that all Canadians will celebrate with pride".

Canada's New Government would like all citizens across this great nation to get involved in the 2010 Winter Games and help make these truly Canada's
Games. Over the next three-and-a-half years, Canadians from across the country will have an opportunity to participate, either as volunteers, business owners, students, teachers or sport enthusiasts. Join the team!

September 6, 2006

"Snowboarding, anyone?"
The Honourable Michael Chong - President of the Privy Council for Canada , Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister for Sport, with representatives of the International Ski Federation, touring Cypress Mountain on September 5. Cypress Mountain will host the snowboard and freestyle events of the 2010 Winter Games. Officials are pleased with the layout of the venue and the construction progress to date. The Government of Canada has committed over $10 million for the development on Cypress Mountain.

(from left to right) Marcel Looze and Joe Fitzgerald (International Ski Federation), Kevin Healy (Cypress Project Manager), and the Honourable Michael Chong (President of the Privy Council for Canada , Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister for Sport) go over plans at the base of the mogul course.

August 30, 2006

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announces an additional contribution of $55 million towards the 2010 Winter Games Venues.
Escalating construction costs in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia have affected the 2010 Winter Games' original venues construction budget. As a result, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) has requested an additional $110 million in funding from the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia.

After careful review of this request, the Government of Canada has committed to increase its contribution to the 2010 Winter Games' venue construction by $55 million. The Government of Canada's total contribution for venues is now $290 million and the total federal investment in the Games is $552 million.

From left to right: Minister David Emerson; Danielle Goyette, Gold Medal Winner at the 2006 Winter Games as a member of the Women's Ice Hockey Team, Prime Minister Stephen Harper; Mellisa Hollingsworth-Richards, Bronze Medal Winner at the 2006 Winter Games for the Skeleton Competition; and Premier of British Columbia Gordon Campbell.

June 20, 2006

Royal Canadian Mint to produce athlete medals and coins for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games
The Royal Canadian Mint was named an Official Supporter of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). Under the terms of the new partnership, the Mint will produce the athlete medals for the 2010 Winter Games and offer circulation and numismatic coins and other related products to help promote the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games across Canada.

FRONT (left to right): Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint and Mr. John Furlong, VANOC CEO. BACK (left to right): Max C. Lewis, Chairperson of the Royal Canadian Mint's Board of Directors, Michael Chambers, President of the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister responsible for the Royal Canadian Mint and the Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics.

June 7, 2006

Paralympic Flag Raising Ceremony in Vancouver
Several dignitaries took part in celebrations for the raising of the Paralympic flag at Vancouver City Hall. Present at the event were, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Princess Edward, Countess of Wessex, Senator Pat Carney (on behalf of Minister David Emerson), Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan, Premier of British Columbia Gordon Campbell and VANOC Chairman of the Board Jack Poole.

Excerpt taken from Minister Emerson's statement released on June 7: Hosting the Paralympic Winter Games will provide us with an opportunity to showcase our athletes, our culture, and our hospitality to the rest of the world. The Government of Canada is proud to be a major partner in this venture. Already, enthusiasm is building across the country. With both the Olympic and Paralympic flags now flying proudly in Canadian host cities and construction of venues begun, we are well on our way to making these the best Games ever.

From left to right: Mayor Sam Sullivan, Princess Edward, Prince Edward, Senator Pat Carney

May 15, 2006

Canadian Athletes' Performance in Torino Recognized in Ottawa
On behalf of the Government of Canada, Minister for Sport Michael Chong welcomed Olympic and Paralympic medalists and head coaches of the 2006 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games to recognize their outstanding performances in Torino. The Government of Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee, celebrated their success through various activities such as a public autograph session and a charity breakfast.

Minister David Emerson and Minister Michael Chong are surrounded by medalists from the 2006 Winter Games.

April 26, 2006

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Minister David Emerson receive Olympic and Paralympic flags
Sam Sullivan, Mayor of Vancouver, presented the Olympic and Paralympic flags to Prime Minister Harper and Minister Emerson recognizing the Government of Canada's role in the 2010 Winter Games.

From left to right: Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Mayor Sam Sullivan holding a custom-made pine beetle wood box containing the Olympic and Paralympic flags, and Minister David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics.
Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office

From left to right: Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Mayor Sam Sullivan, Minister David Emerson, and Member of Parliament James Moore, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister Emerson.
Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office

March 24, 2006

Raising of the Olympic and Paralympic Flags in Whistler
On March 24th, Whistler proudly displayed replicas of both the Olympic and Paralympic flags recognizing Whistler as one of the host cities of the 2010 Winter Games. To view the flags in person, make your way to the 2010 Winter Games Information Centre, located on Blackcomb Way, along Village Stroll.

Foreground: Brad Lennea, Canadian athlete in the 2006 Winter Games, is holding the flag with Phil Chew, Volunteer Coach of the BC Disabled Team, at his side.
Background: Ken Melamed, Mayor of Whistler (speaking at podium) with Sam Sullivan, Mayor of Vancouver, at his side.

March 10, 2006

Vancouver Olympic Village Groundbreaking Ceremony
Many gathered to take part in the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Vancouver Olympic Village located in Southeast False Creek. During the Games the Village will house up to 2,800 athletes and officials. After the 2010 Winter Games, the Village will be transformed into housing for approximately 2,000 residents. The new community will also include a community centre, a non-motorized boating facility, and a childcare facility.

“In 2010, athletes from around the world will call Vancouver's False Creek their home. It will be Canada's opportunity to extend our hospitality and invite athletes and visitors to experience our rich local and national culture,” said David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver–Whistler Olympics. “The Government of Canada is a proud partner in the planning and delivery of the 2010 Winter Games. The False Creek development is a wonderful example of the lasting social, economic, environmental, and cultural legacies the Games will provide for all Canadians.”

From left to right: Tewanee Joseph, Four Host First Nations Society; Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia; Sam Sullivan, Mayor of Vancouver; David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and Vancouver-Whistler Olympics; and Jack Poole, Chairman of VANOC.

February 28, 2006

Olympic Flag Raising Ceremony
Vancouver City Hall was the center of attention as Vancouver officially became the home the Olympic Flag. In less than four years, Canada will host of the next Winter Games.

Quote taken from Minister Emerson's statement released on February 28: "[...] we are celebrating the beginning of Canada's Olympiad. The flag raising ceremony is a proud Olympic tradition that signals the beginning of Canada's responsibility to host the next Winter Games. We now look ahead to 2010 as an opportunity to showcase British Columbia and Canada to the world. There is lot of planning and preparation ahead of us, but I know that we are up to the challenge. I have no doubt that we will put together a world class event.”

February 26, 2006

The Games Are Coming Celebration Street Party
Hundreds of Canadians gathered outside the City of Vancouver's Public Library to watch the Torino Winter Games Closing Ceremonies on a large screen. The crowd cheered as Mayor Sam Sullivan waved the Olympic Flag.

“Canadians from all across the country are getting ready to host the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games,” said David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver–Whistler Olympics. “These are Canada's Games, and they will be a wonderful stage for Canadians across the country to showcase our accomplishments and innovations to the world. The Games will create lasting athletic, social, cultural, and economic legacies for all Canadians.”