Government of Canada supports the future of sport excellence in Atlantic Canada
HALIFAX, November 26, 2003 -- Secretary of State (Physical Activity and Sport) Paul DeVillers today announced funding of $738,000, over three years, for the Atlantic High Performance Sport Strategy, which outlines a multi-year plan to enhance the high-performance development system for athletes in Atlantic Canada."The Government of Canada is proud to partner with the provinces in this innovative strategy to support athletes and coaches in the Atlantic region," said Secretary of State DeVillers. "The funding announced today will help remove some of the barriers experienced by aspiring athletes in the region. The Atlantic High Performance Sport Strategy will ensure that athletes and coaches from Atlantic Canada continue to make a significant impact on the success of Canada's national teams."
"This new support will provide a substantial boost to some of New Brunswick's top athletes as they strive toward national senior teams and international success," said Percy Mockler, New Brunswick's Intergovernmental and International Relations Minister and Minister responsible for the Culture and Sport Secretariat. "Our athletes who seek the highest standard of excellence need our support to cover some of the additional training and competition costs associated with reaching their goals."
"We are pleased the federal government has partnered with the Atlantic Province government departments responsible for sport and our delivery agent, Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic," said Elmer MacFadyen, Prince Edward Island's Minister responsible for Sport and Recreation. "The initiatives being supported will enhance development opportunities for our high-performance athletes, coaches, and officials. We hope that through such efforts, more Atlantic Canadians will eventually join the ranks of their National team programs."
"We have a number of high-calibre athletes who will greatly benefit from the Atlantic Sport Strategy," said Paul Shelley, Newfoundland and Labrador's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. "This strategy will also allow other promising athletes from our province to enhance their skills so they have a chance to compete on national teams and in international competitions."
"By working together, we have secured the funding and resources that will allow us to support our athletes in reaching their full potential," said Rodney MacDonald, Minister of the Nova Scotia Office of Health Promotion. "High-performance athletes will strengthen community pride, raise the profile of sport in our province, and showcase the athletic talent in our region."
The Atlantic High Performance Sport Strategy is a joint federal-provincial initiative developed by Sport Canada and the Atlantic provinces. The Strategy sets goals to increase the percentage of Atlantic athletes on Canadian Senior National Teams and to increase the number of medals won by Atlantic athletes in major international competitions.
"La Relève" athletes, those with the potential to make senior national teams will receive technical expertise, travel, and training group support through the Strategy. The funding will help cover the cost of full-time coaches as well as the cost of travel for competition and training in specialized facilities. The Atlantic High Performance Sport Strategy will be delivered through the Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic.
The Atlantic High Performance Sport Strategy was developed in keeping with the Canadian Sport Policy and is an excellent example of ongoing federal-provincial collaboration in the area of sport. The Policy, endorsed by federal, provincial, and territorial governments as well as the sport community, was developed to create a more effective and transparent sport system, to underscore the importance of sport and physical activity to the health of Canadians, and to build a more integrated and harmonious environment. It sets goals to improve the sport experience, and improve the opportunities for Canadians to compete successfully at the highest levels of international competition.
Overall, the Government of Canada provides $90 million in annual funding to support participation and excellence in sport from the playground to the podium. To learn more about the various sport-related programs offered by the Government of Canada, visit the Canadian Heritage Web site at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/sportcanada
Information:
Mario Tremblay
Press Secretary
Office of the Secretary of State (Physical Activity and Sport)
(819) 953-7329
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