Minister Dupuy announces funding toward 1997 Canada Summer Games
BRANDON, Manitoba, May 12, 1995 - Canadian Heritage Minister Michel Dupuy today announced the first instalment of the federal contribution toward the Canada Summer Games to be held in Brandon, Manitoba, from August 10 to 23, 1997. Brandon-Souris M.P.Glen McKinnon presented a cheque to organizers on behalf of Minister Dupuy.
"The Canada Games are a unique Canadian event bringing together young men and women from every province and territory in a celebration of sport and Canadian culture," said Minister Dupuy. "The Government of Canada is proud to support the 1997 Canada Games in Brandon as it has done, in partnership with provincial and municipal governments, since the very first Canada Games in Quebec City in 1967, the nation's centennial year."
Every Canada Games leaves a legacy of sports facilities, programming and trained volunteers in the community, and an awareness of the value of sport in economic and social terms. In addition to financially supporting the Canada Games through a direct contribution to the host society, the federal government is solely responsible, under the existing framework, for the transportation costs associated with bringing the various teams to the Games community. This figure is estimated at a further $3.3 million for the Brandon Games. The provinces and territories, for their part, are responsible for the costs of preparing and outfitting their teams for the Games.
"The key to success for every Canada Games are the volunteers who contribute many thousands of hours of effort," said Mr. McKinnon. "In this regard, we can look on the investment of government funds as an important lever which brings many times its value in benefits to the community, to sport, and to Canada."
Held every two years, alternating between winter and summer editions, the Canada Games are a first-rate multi-sport event drawing the best junior-level athletes in Canadian sport. For some participants, this will be the highest level they will ever attain in sport. For others, the Games will be the first of a series of major competitions leading to an international career in sport.
This contribution of $1.35 million represents the first instalment of the approximately $5.5 million in direct federal support toward the capital and operating costs of the Games. A multi-party agreement will be signed by the host society and the various levels of government committed to supporting the event. The balance of the federal support will be paid over the next three years.
Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 1995 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework. This announcement is an example of how this government is prioritizing its spending so that it can better serve Canadians by making efficient use of their tax dollars.
Information :
Neil Wilson
Press Secretary
Minister's Office
(819) 997-7788
[ Media Room ]
