Speaking Notes for The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, PC, MP Minister of Science and Sport on the occasion of the press conference for the 2019 Conference of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation

Red Deer, Alberta
Feb 14-15, 2019

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• Hello everyone.

• I want to acknowledge that we are gathered on Treaty 6 and Treaty 7 territories, traditional lands of First Nations and Métis Peoples.

• Let me begin by saying thank you to the people of Red Deer for welcoming Canada into your hearts and homes for the 2019 Canada Games.

• I would also like to thank Red Deer for hosting our regular Federal-Provincial and Territorial Sport Ministers’ meeting these past two days.

• Today we celebrate National Flag of Canada Day. Our flag is a symbol that unites all Canadians and reflects the common values we hold so dear—equality, diversity and inclusion.

• I would like to commend my colleagues from coast to coast to coast for the work we have been able to accomplish together at our meeting.

• We came together this week to address important issues affecting Canada’s youth and athletes.

• We met with Indigenous leaders to discuss the power of sport in advancing reconciliation.

• Ministers had a productive meeting that focused on making sport a safer and healthier experience for athletes of all ages and abilities.

• This is a historic moment.

• For the first time in our country’s history, we showed our common determination to make change by collectively developing and endorsing the Red Deer Declaration for the Prevention of Harassment, Abuse and Discrimination in Sport.

• This pan-Canadian declaration will drive a systemic culture shift to prevent abuse, discrimination and harassment in sport.

• By endorsing this Declaration, we have reiterated that all Canadians should be able to pursue sport in an environment free from harassment, abuse or discrimination.

• In sport, athletes must be at the centre of everything we do. They must have a voice and we must listen. They are not commodities. They are people and they need to be respected.

• As such, we endorsed a vision for all women and girls to be equally represented in Canadian sport as athletes and in leadership roles, including coaches, board members, officials and administrators.

• We are committed to zero tolerance for gender-based violence and abuse in sport.

• We committed to developing a strategy that will see boards of directors of government-funded sport organizations reach parity by December 2024.

• Ministers also focused on physical safety of youth and athletes and specifically concussions.

• We know that too many youth and athletes experience concussions during sports and recreational activities.

• This is why we committed to additional actions to increase the awareness, prevention and management of concussions.

• Jurisdictions will work to implement an annual concussions awareness day.

• Ministers remain focused on providing Indigenous youth more opportunities to participate in sport.

• I am pleased to report that we committed to a new funding framework for the North American Indigenous Games, to be hosted in Canada every four years beginning 2024, and agreed to provide financial support for athletes and team preparations.

• Finally, my colleagues and I recognized the important contribution of the Canada Games to the development of communities and sports across Canada, and as the springboard for many future Olympians, Paralympians and Special Olympians.

• We acknowledged the unique challenges that smaller jurisdictions experience in hosting the Games, and agreed to continue examining special measures for small jurisdictions to host successful Games.

• The work accomplished here is significant and paves the way to making sport participation safer, healthier and more inclusive for all Canadians.

• I am grateful for the dedication and partnership of my colleagues during the last two days.

• Thank you dear colleagues.

• And also thank you Minister Miranda for co-chairing this meeting. Minister Miranda, I will let you say a few words….