MONTRÉAL, December 19, 2007 - The Honourable Michael M Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister Responsible for the Montréal Region, on behalf of the Honourable Helena Guergis, Secretary of State (Foreign Affairs and International Trade) (Sport), and the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, today participated in a ceremony at the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Headquarters in Montréal to reaffirm Canada's commitment to the fight against doping in Sport.
Richard Pound, Chair of WADA, and Pierre Brunet, Chair of the Board of Directors of Montréal International, were also at the event to celebrate the commitment of the governments of Canada and Quebec to hosting the WADA Headquarters for an additional 10 years, extending the original agreement to 2021.
As Chair of WADA, Mr. Pound provided leadership in the process that led to the awarding of WADA Headquarters to Montréal in 2001. This has resulted in several benefits to Canada, including enhanced international prestige, economic benefits from its operations and the hosting of regular international meetings, and the creation of synergy between the Agency and local universities, research centres, public departments, and institutions.
"Canada continues to play a leading role in ensuring that athletes at all levels around the world can compete on a fair and level playing field," said Secretary of State Guergis. "On this historic occasion, the Government of Canada would like to thank Mr. Pound for his contribution, as Chair of WADA, to protecting the integrity of sport, defending the health and well-being of athletes, and advancing the anti-doping movement in international sport. We look forward to working with WADA in the days, weeks, and months leading up to the 2008 and 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games."
"Hosting WADA Headquarters in Montréal for another decade will have lasting socio-economic benefits for our city," said Minister Fortier. "Through this commitment, our Government has helped raise Canada's profile internationally, stimulate job creation, encourage greater numbers of visitors to this city, and develop relationships between the Agency and other stakeholders in the fight against doping in sport."
"Canada Economic Development is well aware of how important it is to have an organization like this in the city," said Minister Blackburn. "This is why we did not hesitate to renew its $10 million contribution to the Agency."
"In accordance with its hosting of international organizations policy, the Government of Quebec intends to continue its commitment to WADA. The Agency's presence contributes in a significant way to reinforcing Montréal's international dimension and prestige, as well as underlining its leadership in the fight against doping," said Quebec's Minister of International Relations and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie, Monique Gagnon-Tremblay.
"WADA is delighted to continue its collaborative relationship with the Canadian and Quebec governments," said WADA President Richard W. Pound. "Their ongoing support reflects Canada's commitment to combating doping in sport and facilitates WADA's fulfilling its mission for the benefit of clean athletes and ethical sport around the world."
"As an organization devoted to economic development and the international influence of the metropolitan area, Montréal International is pleased with the commitment of governments to the World Anti Doping Agency. The presence of this organization contributes significantly to the economic development and to the international dimension of this city, in addition to confirming Montréal as an ideal host city for international organizations," said Pierre Brunet, Chair of Montréal International's Board of Directors. "Every year, the 65 international organizations in this area, of which WADA is one, generate $300 million in economic benefits."
WADA is an independent international agency that the Olympic Movement, led by the International Olympic Committee, and governments established jointly in 1999 to promote ethical conduct and harmonize the global fight against doping in sport. Canadian Richard Pound has been Chairman of WADA since 1999 and will step down at the end of 2007.
Canada's financial commitment to WADA headquarters is two fold: the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec contributes approximately $1 million per year, while the Province of Quebec, through the Ministère des relations internationales du Québec, contributes approximately $500,000 per year. These contributions are managed by Montréal International, an organization mandated to sustain and promote the international development of the Montréal region and to attract international organizations to the area.
The Government of Canada, through the Department of Canadian Heritage, also provided $968,000 in 2006-2007 as Canada's contribution to WADA's annual operating budget. Government contributions to WADA's annual budget are matched equally by the Olympic Movement.
Canada strives to remain a leader in the worldwide fight against doping in sport and is committed to working with WADA through the UNESCO Convention against Doping in Sport, with Canada's independent, non profit organization the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport, and with other nations and stakeholders around the world to advance the values of fair and ethical sport, including doping-free sport.
Information:
Jeffrey Kroeker
Director of Communications and Parliamentary Affairs
Office of the Secretary of State
(Foreign Affairs and International Trade) (Sport)
613 995-1293
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
Yan Plante
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Labour and Minister of the
Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
819 953-5646
Frédéric Baril
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Public Works and Government Services
819 868-1128
