Canada Celebrates Alberta Day at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games
VANCOUVER, February 17, 2010 – The Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, and the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport), invite all Canadians to celebrate Alberta Day and take part in tonight’s victory ceremony at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Minister Moore, Minister of State Lunn, and the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment, are attending events today in Vancouver to celebrate Alberta Day and highlight the sport-related legacies of the Calgary 1988 Winter Games.
“Join us tonight for what is sure to be an exciting victory ceremony, where we will celebrate the outstanding achievements of the medallists and be treated to entertainment provided by Alberta, the province that hosted Canada’s last Olympic Games,” said Minister Moore.
“The 2010 Winter Games will leave a significant legacy for Canada culturally, socially, and economically and will strengthen our sport system, just as the Calgary 1988 Winter Games did for Alberta and Canada,” said Minister of State Lunn.
The Calgary 1988 Winter Games marked the first time in history that Canada hosted the Winter Olympic Games. Hosting the 1988 Games provided Alberta and Canada with tremendous opportunities in terms of economic investments, business development, increased tourism, social developments, and improved athletic performance. Venues prepared for the 1988 Games left a legacy of world-class training facilities, just as venues in Vancouver, Whistler, and Richmond will serve Canadians long after the 2010 Games are over.
Victory ceremonies, each sponsored by a territory or province, will be held for 12 nights in Vancouver during the Olympic Winter Games. Tonight, the victory ceremony begins with a show by Alberta, followed by athlete medal presentations and an hour-long artistic performance.
For more information (media only), please contact:
Deirdra McCracken
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and
Official Languages
deirdra.mccracken@pch.gc.ca
Vanessa Schneider
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable
Gary Lunn, P.C., M.P.
Minister of State (Sport)
vanessa.schneider@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