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Premier's Speeches
Canada Winter Games Host Community Selection
Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame, Halifax Metro Centre
Friday 2 February 2007
This is an exciting moment. We now know which Nova Scotia community will host the 2011 Canada Winter Games. Today, it is my honour and pleasure to share the wonderful news with all Nova Scotians.
Before I announce the name, I want to emphasize some things that I truly believe. First, People across Canada will focus their attention on these games in Nova Scotia. The host community will do us all proud.
The Canada Games are a prize. 2011 will be only the third time Nova Scotia has staged these games. Cape Breton hosted the Winter Games in 1987. Halifax-Dartmouth hosted the Canada Summer Games in 1969.
My second point is this: Attracting the Canada Winter Games is significant for the host community and to all Nova Scotians. These Games will boost development of our young, aspiring athletes. These games will confirm we are believers in sport, recreation, and healthy living.
Indeed, these are values to which my government is strongly committed, and we have shown that commitment through the increased Healthy Living Tax Incentive to promote physical activity for young Nova Scotians, and the investment of $2.4 million to enhance recreational facilities and programs across the province.
The 2011 Canada Winter Games will now be an additional boost to our legacy of positive health for our people and communities.
The Nova Scotia communities that competed to host these games gave it their all. That reflects well on our people and our province. Members of the Canada Games Council saw our spirit and drive. It's the right example. It's positive energy for the Canada Winter Games and the 3,600 young athletes we will soon welcome.
I want to say a heart- felt thank you – the Highland, Hub-Central Nova and Halifax Regional Municipality bid committees worked hard. Your professionalism and determination on your bids make us and the people of the Antigonish region, the Truro area, and the Halifax Regional Municipality proud.
I would also like to extend a thank you to Sue Hylland, president and chief executive officer of the Canada Games Council, to the society, and to the bid review committee for their dedication and support.
The Games Council had a choice to make. My government has taken the Council's recommendation, and we fully endorse their choice.
I'm proud to announce that Halifax will host the 2011 Canada Winter Games.
I would like to congratulate the co-chairs of the Halifax Regional Municipality bid, Colleen Jones and Scott Ferguson and their committee, for all their excellent work in building a good bid, and I pledge our government's full support to help them host the best Canada Games ever.
Thank you.