VANCOUVER, February 13, 2010 - The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, accompanied by a variety of visiting and local dignitaries, today opened the Canada Pavilion to the public. The Pavilion is located on the site of the LiveCity Vancouver downtown celebration.
"Our Government is proud to open the doors of the Canada Pavilion today, and I invite Canadians to come and visit it during the 2010 Winter Games," said Minister Moore. "Here we are celebrating, in every way, the sport excellence of Canadian athletes of yesterday and today, who have made history or are preparing to do so."
Throughout the day, the Canada Pavilion will display messages on its outside wall to encourage Canadian athletes and breaking news on luminous LED screens. Inside, visitors will go from one discovery to another, from one sport to another, through entertaining, interactive activities that will help them learn a bit more about Canada's sport excellence. In particular, there will be a section devoted to Canada's Olympic and Paralympic history, a quiz and a visual display showing Canada's innovative approach to sport technology and equipment, as well as a virtual snowboard and a slapshot game.
The Stanley Cup will be displayed front and centre at the Canada Pavilion during the 2010 Winter Games. And the Vancouver 2010 mascots will stop in frequently to delight visitors.
"This is an overview of what the Canada Pavilion is offering visitors of all ages and backgrounds. I am sure that Canadians will see in it a source of pride and admiration for our athletes," added Minister Moore.
The Government of Canada is a major partner of the 2010 Winter Games. It is determined to ensure that the Games are a success and will spare no effort to make the most of Canadian taxpayers' investment. For Canada, hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games is a perfect opportunity to highlight its sport and cultural achievements internationally. In addition, the Games will yield long-term social, cultural, and economic benefits, in all regions of Canada and for all Canadians.
To ensure that these are "Canada's Games," the Government of Canada is proud to have partnered with and contributed to other pavilions at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games in order to showcase Canadian hospitality, innovation, and excellence and advance Canadian tourism, trade, and investment opportunities.
To learn more about the Canada Pavilion at the 2010 Games, visit www.canada2010.gc.ca/pav-can-eng.cfm.
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
