Denis Coderre Announces Canada and the United States' Contribution to the World Anti-Doping Agency's 2002 Budget
OTTAWA, January 11, 2002 -- Secretary of State (Amateur Sport) Denis Coderre today announced that Canada and the United States will contribute US$1.6 million to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)'s 2002 budget."This investment will enable WADA to devote itself entirely, in 2002, to the three anti-doping issues that are of most concern to Canadians: research, education and testing," said Mr. Coderre. "WADA employees will be able to properly pursue their work and focus on results."
One half of WADA's budget consists of contributions from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the other half is from the public authorities. Both parties contribute US$8.5 million, to make up WADA's total budget of US$17 million.
The US$8.5 million contribution from public authorities is shared among five geo-political regions: Oceania, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. The Americas, which comprise 40 countries, are represented at WADA by Canada, the United States, Barbados and Brazil. Together, the Americas will contribute a total of US$2.4 million to WADA's 2002 budget. The allocation of the remaining US$800,000 will be finalized at the First Summit of the Americas on Sport, later this year. Today's announcement demonstrates the firm commitment of the countries of the Americas to the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Mr. Coderre has been the representative of the Americas on WADA's Executive Board since 1999 and is also a member of the WADA Foundation Board. The World Anti-Doping Agency's headquarters is located in Montreal. The selection of Montreal as the permanent location of WADA headquarters was announced in Tallinn, Estonia, on August 21, 2001.
Canada's contribution was made available through Sport Canada. Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2000 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
Information:
Nicole Beauchamp
Communications Director
Office of the Secretary of State for Amateur Sport
(819) 994-9909
(613) 850-0141 (cell.)
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