OTTAWA, September 4, 2008 - The Government of Canada announced today that it will support the hosting of the 2009, 2010, and 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation (
IIHF
) World Junior Championships.
A total of $750,000 in funding will be provided for the three championships to be held in Canada in 2009, 2010 and 2012. These funds will be used by host cities to encourage participation in hockey and for legacy projects.
"Hockey is Canada's national passio n, and the World Junior Hockey Championships are a holiday tradition across our country," said Ottawa West-Nepean
MP
and Canada's Environment Minister John Baird. "Today's announcement demonstrates that our Government proudly supports the champi onships with three tournaments taking place in Canada in 2009, 2010, and 2012. And as someone who was born and raised in Ottawa, the 2009 tournament will be even more special as this city will proudly host the world in December and January. I'll be there cheering on Team Canada as we try to make it five in a row at the World Juniors!"
"The Government of Canada is pleased to announce this contribution to host the 2009, 2010, and 2012
IIHF
World Junior Championships," said Secret ary of State for Sport Helena Guergis. "These events will showcase a high level of hockey and will be a great opportunity to inspire Canadians and reinforce participation in sport at all levels in our communities."
"I would lik e to take this time to thank the Government of Canada for this contribution, which will help make the next three World Junior Championships in Canada a great success," said Bob Nicholson, President and
CEO
of Hockey Canada. "These international events are a great source of pride for Canadians and also contribute lasting legacies for grassroots hockey in these host cities and across Canada."
"Our nation has an exceptional record of hosting the
IIHF
World Junior Championship s. The magnitude of this world-class event serves to remind all Canadians how important hockey is to our cultural, economic, and sport identities," said Eugene Melnyk, Chair of Ottawa's Host Organizing Committee. "When we are given an opportunit y such as this to host the world, we need to join together to showcase Canada and our national pride."
Canada will host the
IIHF
World Junior Championship in Ottawa from December 26, 2008, to January 5, 2009. The 2010
IIHF
World Junior C hampionship will be held in Saskatoon and Regina from late December 2009 to early January 2010, and the 2012
IIHF
World Junior Championship will be held in Calgary and Edmonton from late December 2011 to early January 2012. Canada has won a medal at 10 co nsecutive
IIHF
World Junior Championships, including four consecutive gold medals from 2005 to 2008. For more information on the Championships, visit Hockey Canada's website at www.hockeycanada.ca
The Government of Canada recognizes that spor t is a defining part of Canada's identity.
The Government of Canada is the single largest contributor to sport in this country and supports participation and excellence from the playground to the podium. In 2008-2009, the Government of Canada's inv estment in the Canadian sport system will grow to an all-time high of $166 million.
Information
Office of the Honourable Helena Guergis
Secretary of State
(Foreign Affairs and International Trade) ( Sport)
613 995-1293
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101 or
1 866 669-6155
