VANCOUVER, February 16, 2010 - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, invites all Canadians to celebrate Nova Scotia Day and take part in tonight's victory ceremony at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
"These are Canada's Games, and we invite Canadians from coast to coast to coast to celebrate and get involved with the Games," said Minister Moore. "Whether you are at home or here in Vancouver, I invite you to watch tonight's victory ceremony, which will celebrate today's outstanding athletic achievements and showcase performances from Nova Scotia."
Victory ceremonies, each sponsored by a territory or province, will be held for 12 nights in Vancouver during the Olympic Winter Games. Tonight, the victory ceremony begins with a show by Nova Scotia and will be followed by athlete medal presentations and an hour-long artistic performance.
Next year, when Nova Scotia hosts the 2011 Canada Games, Canada's top athletes will compete in 20 events. It will be the largest sporting event in Halifax's history and the city's first Canada Winter Games.
Nova Scotia is also home to Pier 21, Canada's Museum of Immigration and a National Historic Site. More than 1 million new Canadians entered the country through the Pier 21 portal and it was the point of departure for more than 500,000 Canadian troops during the Second World War. Between its immigration and war-time roles, today one in five Canadians can trace a family connection to Pier 21.
For more information (media only), please contact:
Deirdra McCracken
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
deirdra.mccracken@pch.gc.ca
Government of Canada
2010 Winter Games Media Enquiry Centre
613-998-2010
1-877-760-2010
media2010@canada.gc.ca
www.canada2010.gc.ca/media
