"Sport is about Quality of Life" Conclude Denis Coderre and Jack Hillson
REGINA, October 1, 2000 -- The Secretary of State (Amateur Sport), the Honourable Denis Coderre, and the Saskatchewan Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs and Minister of Municipal Affairs, Culture, and Housing, the Honourable Jack Hillson, today thanked all the delegates who participated in the Prairies Regional Sport Conference in Regina.The more than 100 participants at the conference provided input for the development of a Canadian sport policy. The diversity of the delegates' backgrounds and their breadth of experience contributed to valuable suggestions for the improvement of Canada's sport system and increased participation in sport.
The delegates' recommendations included the critical importance of leadership and partnership in the development of sport, the need for a strategy for sport promotion, including reaching the education system, and athletes as role models. Numerous other recommendations were advanced in the areas of ethics in sport, resources, and athlete and sport development. Minister Coderre and the three Prairie sports ministers agreed on the importance of sport and on working together toward common goals.
Minister Coderre was very pleased with the outcome of the Prairies conference. "These interesting recommendations have reinforced the conclusion that sport is important to everyone. Sport is about the quality of life for all Canadians. I'm particularly pleased because the delegates' input will lead to an innovative vision of the role that sport can play in all our communities."
Minister Hillson also pointed out that "the last three days allowed us to contribute to building the foundations of Canada's first real sport policy. Saskatchewan communities and the main participants in sport in our province did a tremendous job that will help our next generation of athletes."
The Prairies confer ence was the third in a series of six regional sport conferences to be held across Canada. The next conferences will be held in Vancouver, Hamilton and Sherbrooke. The conferences will lead by a National Summit on sport, in Ottawa, chaired by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, early in 2001.
Minister Coderre also took the opportunity at the Prairies Regional Conference, in the presence of Mr. Allan Ferchuk, President of the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association, to announce a $120,000 contribution to their organization for this year and $150,000 for 2001-2002. Mr. Ferchuk stated the funds will help the development of sport for colleges.
More information on the regional conferences is available on the internet at
www.amateur-sport.ca. The public is also encouraged to use the website to provide their input to the consultative process.
Information:
Akim I. Thibouthot
Communications Advisor
Office of the Secretary of State (Amateur Sport)
(819) 994-9909
Maureen Boyle
Municipal Affairs, Culture and Housing
Regina
(306) 787-5959
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