Joint funding commitment ensures the Greater Golden Horseshoe Area will have competitive bid for prestigious international sporting event
Ottawa, January 31, 2009 - The Government of Canada has confirmed with the Pan American Sports Organization its commitment of support to the Government of Ontario in the bid for the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games.
"The Government of Canada is reaffirming its original commitment to contribute up to
$500 million towards the costs that are related to infrastructure, legacy initiatives, and federal essential services," said the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport). "We recognize that hosting international sport events, such as the Pan American and Parapan American Games, provides Canada with direct sport development benefits. By working together with the Province of Ontario, the games will bring us the opportunity to invest in infrastructure, communities, sport and economic developments for generations of Canadians."
"We are delighted to have the federal government's participation," said The Hon. David Peterson, Chair of the Toronto 2015 Bid Committee. "We want to make this a model of inter-governmental cooperation amongst the federal, provincial and municipal governments."
The Pan/Parapan American Games are held every four years for competitors from all nations of the 42 countries of the Americas and the Caribbean. If successfully chosen, hosting the games will increase economic activity, create new jobs in construction and bring an estimated 250,000 tourists to the Greater Golden Horseshoe Area.
As part of the bidding process, and following Federal Policy for hosting International Sport Events, the bid funding is reviewed by a third party auditor for due diligence. This will ensure successful and prudent use of public funds related to the Games.
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.
Information:
Sean O'Leary
Office of the Honourable Gary Lunn, P.C., M.P.
Minister of State (Sport)
819-934-1122
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
(819) 994-9101 or
1-866-669-6155
