OTTAWA (October 26, 2021) — As Canada’s national organization responsible for providing technical leadership for Canadian sports to achieve improved podium performances at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the following is a statement on behalf of Own the Podium in response to the Government of Canada’s appointment of a Minister dedicated to sport.

Anne Merklinger, Chief Executive Officer, Statement
“Own the Podium applauds the Trudeau Government for its decision to appoint Pascale St-Onge as the new Minister of Sport and Minister Responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec.
 
As the country continues to deploy efforts to combat the fourth wave of the pandemic, sport has never been counted on to play a more critical role in helping our nation recover and heal.
 
Own the Podium believes in the value that participation in sport and physical activity at all levels – from the playground to the podium – holds for creating healthy, vibrant communities from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
 
In addition to having the power and unique ability to unite the country through celebrating podium performances on the Olympic and Paralympic stage, sport will help restore and ignite community connections.  Whether it’s reuniting with one’s recreational soccer team, kids reconnecting on the ice for the minor hockey season, or being able to try a new sport at the local community centre, sport matters.
 
The sport community and federal government have made significant progress together to ensure sport is an increasingly inclusive and safe place for all Canadians to pursue their passions and improve their wellbeing while setting an example for all Canadians about the importance of holding ourselves accountable to the values of fair play, integrity, inclusion and excellence.
 
The identification of a dedicated Cabinet post will allow the national sport community to continue to work collaboratively in advancing several of these important recovery measures that will help in building stronger and healthier communities through sport, re-establish Canada as a world class host country for international sport events and multi-sport games, and lead the renewal of the Canadian Sport Policy.”
 
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Chris Dornan                               
Own the Podium                        
T: 403-620-8731
E-mail: chris.dornan@ownthepodium.org