February 2, 2007 – At a press conference this morning at the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame the Canada Games Council and the Province of Nova Scotia named Halifax the host of the 2011 Canada Winter Games.

In almost four years time, Halifax will welcome the country’s best young developing athletes to compete in 20 selected sports representing the best that their Province or Territory has to offer.

“From the time that the bid books were received in the fall of 2006 we knew that the 2011 Games were in good hands in the Province of Nova Scotia,” said Sue Hylland, President and CEO of the Canada Games Council. “Halifax’s unique approach, commitment to athlete care and comfort as well as their impressive history of hosting world class events impressed bid evaluation members and ultimately drove the final decision.”

The Canada Games Council policy allowed the Province of Nova Scotia to submit a maximum of three bids for consideration as a Canada Games host for the 2011 Games. The three bid communities entitled to present a 2011 bid included the Highland Region (Antigonish), Hub Central Nova (Truro) and Halifax Regional Municipality. The Province of Nova Scotia selected the three bids from among four regional contenders based on an internal process that included the recommendations of a panel of experts.
The three bid committees from Nova Scotia submitted their bids to the Canada Games Council by December 28, 2006. January 16 to 18, 2007, the Canada Games Council’s eight member Bid Evaluation Committee then spent a day with each of the three bid communities to tour venues and experience presentations on the various bid requirements. After approval by the Council’s Board of Directors this past Wednesday, the decision was approved and recommended to the Province of Nova Scotia for final approval.

At the event with words of encouragement and praise, the Honorable Rodney MacDonald Premier of the Province of Nova Scotia spoke of the Province’s support of the Canada Games and the hopes for the 2011 Games.

“Congratulations to everyone behind Halifax’s successful selection. All the Nova Scotia communities that competed to host these Games showed great spirit and professionalism,” said Premier Rodney MacDonald. “Nova Scotia is excited to host the best Canada Winter Games possible, and building on this success toward the 2014 Commonwealth Games.”

In addition to the Premier, the Province was also represented by Barry Barnet Minister of Health Promotion and Protection who spoke of the Provincial process and the Council’s award to Halifax.

“It is with great pride that Nova Scotia accepts the recommendation of the Canada Games Council and welcomes the 2011 Games to the city of Halifax,” said Minister Barnet. “It has been a long journey for our three bid committees and I want to thank everyone involved for their hard work and dedication. Their passion and support demonstrates that amateur sport is alive and well in Nova Scotia.”

The Canada Games Bid Evaluation Committee scored each community’s bid book and site visit on core areas, (Games village, revenue generation, sports/venues, volunteers, legacy), and on preliminary plans and frameworks. In addition, during the entire evaluation the Committee reflected the total leadership and competency of each evaluation area.

In the end it was Halifax that had the highest overall score (technical hosting standards and leadership/competency combined) among Committee members.

“On behalf of the Halifax Regional Council and residents of the Halifax Regional Municipality I would like to thank the Canada Games Council and the Province of Nova Scotia for selecting Halifax as the host for the 2011 Canada Winter Games,” said HRM Mayor Peter Kelly. “I would also like to congratulate the HRM bid committee for its hard work to bring this wonderful opportunity to our municipality, our athletes, and Nova Scotia. I am proud of our track record as a host of large scale sporting events and look forward to welcoming Canada’s best in 2011.”

The planning and preparations for the 2011 Canada Winter Games will now begin.

“The Canada Games Council is confident in Halifax’s ability to deliver upon an outstanding Canada Games,” said Hylland. “Although only one community could be chosen to host, we commend all communities on their dedication and pride easily seen within their bid efforts and we encourage all involved in the bid process for the 2011 Games to stay involved in the Canada Games Movement and support Halifax in this immense undertaking.

The Halifax bid will now choose individuals to act as representatives to attend the 2007 Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse, February 23 – March 10, 2007, to take advantage of the mentoring program offered by the Council. The Bid Community will then work to transform into a Host Society and begin the planning stage to host this prestigious event.

About the Canada Games

Held once every two years, alternating between summer and winter, the Canada Games represent the highest level of national competition for the next generation of national team athletes and future champions. The Games have been hosted in every province at least once since their inception in Quebec City during Canada’s Centennial in 1967. The Games are proud of their contribution to Canada’s sport development system in addition to their lasting legacy of sport facilities, community pride and national unity. Since the first Games in 1967 in Quebec City, more than 75,000 young athletes have participated in the Canada Games.

The organization of the Canada Games is made possible through the tireless dedication of the local Host Society, the contribution and support of the federal, provincial/territorial and host municipal governments and the Canada Games Council. The 2007 Canada Winter Games will be held in Whitehorse, Yukon and the 2009 Canada Summer Games will take place in Prince Edward Island.