Prince Edward Island youth and athletes benefit from $1.2m sport initiative
CHARLOTTETOWN, November 27, 2003 -- Secretary of State (Physical Activity and Sport) Paul DeVillers and Prince Edward Island's Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs Elmer MacFadyen today announced funding of $1.2 million to enhance the participation and leadership development components of the Prince Edward Island Sport Strategy."This partnership represents an important step in realizing the vision of the Canadian Sport Policy for a more inclusive sport system," said Secretary of State DeVillers. "The funding for this initiative will help remove barriers to participation in sport, and increase access to leadership, volunteer, and coaching opportunities. By strengthening Prince Edward Island's sport system, we are ensuring that more Canadians will enjoy the pleasures and benefits of sport."
"Prince Edward Island's contribution to this very important intiative will be $200,000 per year," said Minister MacFadyen. "This contribution is part of the $475,000 per year that the province recently committed to the implementation of the PEI Sport Strategy."
The Government of Canada and the Government of PEI will each provide $200,000 for the next three years to support existing programs under the Prince Edward Island, including the Multi-Sport Executive Director Program, the Volunteer Development Program, the Regional Sport Council Pilot Program, Girls and Women in Sport Initiative, Active Healthy School Community Initiative, Aboriginal Sport Initiative, Values-Based Awareness Program, and Initiatives for Disadvantaged Populations.
The funding aims to eliminate inequities in the sport system, increase the participation of girls and women in sport, and increase participation in sport in schools and community programs within disadvantaged populations. The funding will also help increase the number of Aboriginal athletes, coaches, and officials in sport by building bridges between Aboriginal communities and existing sport organizations.
The CanadaÑPrince Edward Island partnership is an initiative under the Canadian Sport Policy. The Policy is an excellent example of collaboration amongst the federal, provincial, and territorial governments. Endorsed by all levels of government in 2002, it targets participation as one of the key areas for improvement in Canada's sport system. It sets a goal to improve participation in quality sport activities in all segments of society by 2012.
The Canadian Sport Policy 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 to improve the sport experience. Bilateral agreements under the Policy have now been signed in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and British Columbia.
Overall, the Government of Canada provides $90 million in annual funding to support the development of 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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