Children, Seniors and Social Development
December 6, 2017

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development:

Local Teams Win Opportunity to Play Hockey on Parliament Hill

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to recognize two teams from this province who have won the opportunity to play hockey on Parliament Hill.

The Avalon Celtics Pee Wee Malibus and the Grand Falls-Windsor Cataracts have been chosen to represent Newfoundland and Labrador in Ottawa from December 28 to December 31.

The contest was presented by the Department of Canadian Heritage, and the Ottawa International Hockey Festival, in partnership with the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club with support from Hockey Canada. It invited eligible boys and girls peewee house league teams, comprising 11- and 12-year-olds, the chance to represent their province, territory or region at this year’s Bell Capital Cup hockey tournament in a special Canada 150 division.

Mr. Speaker, the Celtics and Cataracts were among more than 300 entries, representing more than 6,000 minor hockey players and team officials from across Canada. Entrants were asked to demonstrate why their team deserves to represent their region in the Canada 150 division by way of a brief written essay and a video submission. The winning entries were selected based on creativity, energy level and Canadian spirit. 

The teams have won round-trip travel to Ottawa, accommodations, ground transportation, commemorative Canada 150 hockey jerseys and the opportunity to play at the Canada 150 rink on Parliament Hill.

Mr. Speaker, a focus for our government is supporting a vibrant and active population in our province – a population that safely participates in physical activity, recreation and sport at all levels for improved quality of life, improved health, enhanced social interaction, personal fulfillment, and excellence.  This initiative by our federal partners is complementary to our own efforts to promote healthy active living, and will certainly provide unforgettable memories to the participants.

Mr. Speaker, I extend my most sincere congratulations to the Celtics and Cataracts on this incredible once in a lifetime opportunity and wish them the best of luck.

Thank you.

 

2017 12 06                                                    2:35 p.m.