TORONTO, July 26, 2006 - Canada's new Government will make a contribution to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ontario, allowing the Hall to make its collection available on the Internet for all Canadians to view.
The project was announced by the Honourable Michael Chong, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, and Minister for Sport, on behalf of the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, and the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for the Greater Toronto Area.
The website will be called "The Spirit of Success--Heroes in Canada's Sports Hall of Fame" and will feature stories about individuals who have been inducted into the Hall, the artefacts that are housed there, and the history of sport in Canada.
"For more than 50 years, Canada's Sports Hall of Fame has told the stories of Canada's sport heroes," said Minister Chong. "This project will make it possible for all Canadians to learn their compelling stories and how they contributed to the development of sport in Canada."
"Canada holds a rich sport tradition, and this educational project will help share it with all Canadians," said Minister Oda. "We are proud to contribute just over $395,000 to making it happen."
"Toronto's Hall of Fame has been an attractive destination to parents and children, and now it will be a website destination as well," said Minister Flaherty. "With our new Government's Children's Fitness Tax Credit, children can become our next sports heroes and appear on this hall of fame."
The Government of Canada is the single largest investor in Canada's sport system. A total of $140 million is being provided in 2006-2007 to support initiatives for high-performance athletes and to increase Canadians' participation in sport.
Information:
Nancy Heppner
Director of communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Status of Women
819 997-7788
Gary Toft
Director of Communications
Office of the President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, and Minister for Sport
613 943-1833
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
Dan Miles
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Finance
613 996-7861
