Government of Canada injects $30m into Canada's sport system
OTTAWA, March 24, 2004 -- Minister of State (Sport) Stan Keyes today confirmed that the federal budget includes a significant injection of $30 million into the Canadian sport system, increasing the overall budget to $100 million annually. The new investment will ensure more Canadians have the opportunity to participate and excel in sport."This new investment represents a significant down-payment by the Government of Canada and will serve to leverage future investments in the sport system, specifically in the area of support for high performance athletes," stated Minister of State Keyes.
"We are serious about ensuring that all of our athletes have an opportunity to achieve excellence - from across the country and from playground to podium, they will continue to benefit from the important sport programs and services funded by the Government of Canada," stated Minister of State Keyes.
Finance Minister Ralph Goodale also commented on the new money for the Canadian sport system by adding: "The Federal Government understands that it is time to start building toward 2010 when Vancouver and Whistler will host the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games."
The Government of Canada has already committed $310 million for a successful 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, primarily focussed on infrastructure and capacity building.
Over the next eight to ten weeks, Minister of State Keyes will work with key stakeholders and athletes to develop a concrete action plan for future targeted investments in high performance sport. This plan will expand on work that has been done in support of the Canadian Sport Policy and will be shared at the next meeting of federal, provincial and territorial Ministers responsible for sport at the end of April 2004. In order to articulate a plan that represents the views of Canada's sport community, Minister of State Keyes will undertake a series of roundtable meetings throughout the country over the next month.
The Government of Canada is a proud partner in the Canadian Sport Policy, a groundbreaking agreement among Canada's fourteen governments that sets a vision for sport participation and excellence in Canada. Funding for the Canadian sport system comes from partners in the private sector and all levels of government. 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:
Peter Graham
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State (Sport)
(613) 294-1990
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