May 2, 2008 (Gatineau, QC) – The Government of Canada recently announced its new Federal Policy for Hosting International Sport Events, which will provide the foundation for a proactive and strategic approach for the bidding and the hosting of international sport events in Canada.

The Honourable Helena Guergis, Secretary of State (Foreign Affairs and International Trade) (Sport), announced the policy in Gatineau today during the 2008 Sport Events Congress hosted by the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance.

“Hosting international sporting events in Canada provides our athletes and coaches with valuable training and competition experience, and contributes to our goal of becoming a leading sport nation,” said Secretary of State Guergis. “A coordinated and strategic approach to hosting sport events will ensure Canada maximizes sport, cultural, and economic benefits for Canadian communities.”

The new policy builds on the Strategic Hosting Framework for Hosting International Sport Events, previously approved by the 14 federal-provincial-territorial governments. With the addition of a $14.7 million annual investment to the current base funding of $1 million, this new policy will help the Government of Canada work with national sport organizations, multisport service organizations, and other orders of government to take a proactive approach to bidding for and hosting international sport events in Canada.

The policy will provide an opportunity to adopt, for the first time, a pan-Canadian approach which will significantly strengthen the Government of Canada’s investment and leadership in bidding for and hosting events. The new policy, beginning this year, calls for a maximum of two International Major Multisport Games every ten years, one Large International Single Sport Event every two years, 30 or more Small International Single Sport events each year as well as International Multisport Games for Aboriginal peoples and persons with a disability.

The new policy provides a proactive and strategic approach to bidding and hosting while promoting effective, timely and transparent decision-making coordinated with provinces/territories and the sport community. The policy will also require the sport community to develop their strategic and proactive long-term plans with relation to hosting international sport events in Canada and the new funds will allow for better support for all international single sport events.

The Government of Canada is the single largest contributor to sport in this country and supports participation and excellence from the playground to the podium. When the commitment in Budget 2008 is fully implemented, the Government of Canada’s investment in the Canadian sport system will grow to an all-time high of more than $164 million annually.