Minister Emerson Delivers Keynote Address at Tourism British Columbia 2010 Aboriginal Business Summit and Unveils the Royal Canadian Mint's Four Host First Nations Gold Coin
VANCOUVER, February 2, 2007 -- The Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, today spoke before delegates at the three-day Aboriginal Business Summit, hosted by the Four Host First Nations Society, of the 2010 Winter Games. Minister Emerson, accompanied by Ian Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint, also unveiled a 14-karat, commemorative gold coin for the Four Host First Nations of the 2010 Winter Games.Minister Emerson's address, entitled "Aboriginal Participation in the 2010 Winter Games: Celebrating History, Arts, Culture and Business," focused on the Government of Canada's support of Aboriginal participation and its desire to promote Aboriginal business opportunities related to the 2010 Winter Games. He also noted that the Government of Canada will soon be launching an innovative new website which will help Aboriginals businesses -- especially smaller firms -- tap into global trade opportunities both now and in the future.
"The active and ongoing involvement of Aboriginal People in these Games is a key priority for Canada's New Government," said Minister Emerson. "The vision and the leadership of the Four Host First Nations recognized very early on that the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games represented a tremendous opportunity for their communities, and for all First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples."
"We are very pleased to have minted the emblem of the Four Host First Nations of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games," said Mr. Bennett. "This collector coin is a worthy tribute to the people of the four First Nations, whose traditions and stewardship of an exceptional part of Canada has made it possible for Vancouver and Whistler to host the world at the 2010 Winter Games."
The Four Host Nations coin is part of a program of 36 collector coins and 17 circulation coins being issued by the Royal Canadian Mint over three years in celebration of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. This 14-karat gold coin has a face value of $75 and will go on sale in February 2008. Images and product details of the RCM's newest collection are available by visiting ftp://communications:RCM2007@ftp.mint.ca.
Information:
Jennifer Chiu
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the
Vancouver-Whistler Olympics
613 992-7332
Alex Reeves
Manager
Internal Communications
The Royal Canadian Mint
613 949-5777
Donald Boulanger A/Chief,
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
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