Government of Canada Helps Showcase Northern Ontario at 2010 Winter Olympics

OTTAWA, Ontario, February 12, 2010 – The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for FedNor, today announced a Government of Canada investment of almost $100,000 in support of Les Jeux de la Francophonie canadienne du Grand-Sudbury – 2011 to help promote the event in Vancouver during the 2010 Winter Olympics. Les Jeux de la Francophonie, held every three years, are sporting and cultural competitions that bring together young, French-speaking Canadians between the ages of 13 and 18.

“The Government of Canada is proud to support this national event that will be held in Ontario for the first time,” said Minister Clement. “By helping to showcase Les Jeux de la Francophonie on such a remarkable world stage as the Olympics, our government is helping to promote the region, which will in turn create opportunities for the people of Northern Ontario and contribute to growing our economy.”

On July 19-24, 2011, the City of Greater Sudbury will be host to nearly 1500 athletes as they compete in a variety of cultural and sporting events. In addition to the competitions, athletes, visitors and residents alike will be treated to special events, concerts and artistic programming featuring Northern Ontario’s best talents.

A FedNor contribution of $99,960 through the Government of Canada’s Economic Development Initiative (EDI) for official language minority communities will enable event organizers to set up a booth at the Place de la Francophonie pavilion during the 2010 Winter Olympics, February 10-28, 2010 in Vancouver. As one of 16 exhibitors at the pavilion, the Northern Ontario booth will provide a unique opportunity to market Les Jeux de la Francophonie and the region to a national and international audience.

Investments made through the EDI complement measures in Canada’s Economic Action Plan to help communities overcome the challenges brought on by the global economic downturn. Initiatives such as the Community Adjustment Fund and Infrastructure Stimulus Fund are important tools in the Government of Canada’s strategy to revitalize the economy of Northern Ontario.

“This FedNor funding is a welcome boost to our efforts to bring the 2011 Jeux de la Francophonie to the attention of the world,” said Paul Lefebvre, Board Chair, Les Jeux de la Francophonie canadienne du Grand Sudbury - 2011. “We look forward to this opportunity to promote our event and the vast array of things to see and do in the North.”

The Government of Canada has also provided funding of $1.2 million to the Corporation of La Place de la Francophonie 2010 through the Department of Canadian Heritage's Development of Official-Language Communities Program and $500,000 through Western Economic Diversification Canada's Economic Development Initiative.

To find out more about FedNor, visit us at: http://ic.gc.ca/fednor

Lynn Meahan
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
613-995-9001

Carol Deguire
Senior Communications Officer
FedNor
705-670-5327 or 1-877-333-6673