Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
October 23, 2015
Supporting Excellence in Competitive Sport
Newfoundland and Labrador to Host Canada Summer Games in 2025
The Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario have agreed to switch their respective spots in the hosting rotation for the Canada Summer Games, with Ontario hosting in 2021 and Newfoundland and Labrador to host in 2025.
"We recognized that hosting a Canada Summer Games in 2021 would have required a significant planning and infrastructure investment. The switch in the hosting rotation allows us more time to determine infrastructure needs, meet those requirements, and prepare to host the Canada Summer Games in 2025."
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
The exchange of hosting duties also works well for the Government of Ontario.
"Ontario decided to host the 2021 Canada Summer Games to spur economic activity, continue to strengthen the great sport legacy in Ontario, and support community building. We'll capitalize on our comprehensive experience of the resoundingly successful 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games to stage another medal-winning event for the province."
- The Honourable Michael Coteau, Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
Minister Jackman noted that the Provincial Government has invested more than $200 million in sport and recreation facilities since 2004, including a substantial investment in the Newfoundland and Labrador Sport Centre, a high-performance training facility for elite athletes.
The Provincial Government is also helping to prepare athletes for national and international competition by responding to specific recommendations contained in Medals Matter, a task force report focused on enhanced performance of provincial athletes in Canada Games competition. The report suggested the need for earlier identification of athletes who have the ability and potential for success in Canada Games competition; targeting increased investment in sports where Newfoundland and Labrador has the best possible chance to earn medals; investing in coaching, and increasing access to training, sport science information, and facilities which will help prepare our athletes.
The Task Force Report can be viewed at: www.swsd.gov.nl.ca/publications/pdf/recreation/task_force_report.pdf 
"We have committed a total of $480,000 to Sport Newfoundland and Labrador to identify targeted sports through a strategic planning process, and to fund two full-time coaching positions in those sports. We are also establishing a Sport Excellence Board which will provide oversight and direction to targeted Canada Games sports."
- Minister Jackman
The development of elite athletes in Newfoundland and Labrador is also supported through the Athletic Excellence Fund, which includes the Premier's Athletic Awards, the Elite Athlete Assistance Program, the Team Gushue Awards and Sport Newfoundland and Labrador Scholarships. For more information, see: www.swsd.gov.nl.ca/recreation/financial_assistance/index.html.
QUICK FACTS:
- The Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Ontario have agreed to switch their respective spots in the hosting rotation for the Canada Summer Games.
- Ontario will now host in 2021 and Newfoundland and Labrador will host in 2025.
- The change allows Newfoundland and Labrador more time to plan and to further develop the infrastructure required for Canada Summer Games competition, while Ontario can take advantage of the new facilities recently constructed in that province to host the 2015 PanAm Games.
- Newfoundland and Labrador continues to prepare for Canada Games competition by working through recommendations made in Medals Matter - The Task Force Report on Enhanced Performance in Canada Games.
- The report can be viewed at: www.swsd.gov.nl.ca/publications/pdf/recreation/task_force_report.pdf
- 30 -
Media contacts:
|
Heather May
Director of Communications Seniors, Wellness and Social Development 709-729-0928, 697-5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca |
Jennifer Lang
Director, Communications Branch Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport 416-212-3929 Jennifer.lang@ontario.ca |
2015 10 23 1:00 p.m.