The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), is investing an additional $1 million to ensure that Prince Edward Island successfully hosts the 2009 Canada Games this summer. Over 4,000 of Canada’s best athletes are expected to participate at the upcoming games, and bring social and economic benefits to the Island’s communities.
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Regional Minister for Prince Edward Island, and the Honourable Carolyn Bertram, provincial Minister Responsible for the Canada Games, were joined today by Jospeh Spriet, President, 2009 Canada Games Host Society, to announce the additional $1 million funding at news conference hosted by Basil Stewart, Mayor of Summerside.
“Our government recognizes the importance and value in hosting the Canada Games,” said Minister Shea. “The heightened community spirit, along with the creation of legacy facilities, will result in social and economic benefits to Island residents for years to come.”
The additional funding will be used to cover capital costs and assist in upgrading facilities to be used during the games. These upgraded facilities will strengthen the community’s infrastructure, enhancing its ability to host significant tourism and sporting events in the future.
"This is an exciting time for our province," said Minister Bertram. "Hosting the Canada Games is a huge undertaking and the support of funding partners is vitally important. I want to thank ACOA for partnering with us to ensure that these are the best games ever."
The organization of the Canada Games is made possible through the contributions and support of the federal, provincial and host municipal governments and the Canada Games Council, as well as the dedication of the local Host Society and the many volunteers.
President of the 2009 Canada Games Host Society, Joseph Spriet said, “The Host Society has always been committed to staying within its budgets, but with the general economic conditions of late increasing our costs, we are very appreciative of this additional injection of funding to ensure that we can still complete our projects. With the augmented funding, the Host Society and its partners will deliver an outstanding, athlete-centered Canada Games this August and leave lasting legacies for Prince Edward Island.”
In August 2006, the Government of Canada, through ACOA, announced a $2 million investment to support the capital costs of hosting the 2009 Canada Games. Today’s announcement of $1 million, through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund, will increase federal support for the operational costs of the Games to $3 million. There are 32 proposed games venues all across Prince Edward Island and it is anticipated that over 4,400 athletes, coaches and managers will attend this major sporting event.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The PEI 2009 Canada Games Host Society will benefit from an additional $1 million in funding to meet the capital costs of hosting the 2009 Canada Games this summer. Minister Shea announced the federal Innovative Communities Fund investment at a news conference in Summerside today. Minister Bertram, Provincial Minister Responsible for the Canada Games, and Joseph Spriet, President of the PEI 2009 Canada Games Host Society, were also in attendance. More than 4,400 athletes, coaches and managers are expected to participate in the upcoming games.
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INFORMATION:
Phyllis Pellerin
ACOA PEI and Tourism
(902) 566-8340
Connie McNeill Department of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour (902) 368-5829
Nicole Phillips P.E.I. 2009 Canada Games Host Society (902) 620-2335
This news release is also available on line at: www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/mediaroom.
