PM's Greeting at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2009 Canada Games

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.  Greetings Your Excellency, Lieutenant Governor Haggerman, Premier Ghiz, Premier Roland, Your Worships, Mayors Stewart and Lee.  Welcome also to Federal Ministers Lunn, Shae, and Ashfield, to Senator Duffy and finally, to the many of our Provincial counterparts able to attend today.

Before I begin, I would also like to take a moment to welcome the thousands of people from across Canada and all over the world who have gathered here in the Maritimes for the 2009 Congrès mondial acadien and who are today celebrating National Acadian Day.  That so many have made the pilgrimage is a testament to the enduring strength of Acadian culture.  On behalf of the Government of Canada, I wish all Acadians a wonderful celebration today – especially the young Acadian athletes competing in the Canada Games over the next two weeks.

And last, but certainly not least, I want to acknowledge and pay homage to a man who has done so much for the Games over the years, Mr. Larry Smith.  Larry, thank you for all your hard work and dedication throughout your time as Chairman of the Canada Games Council.  During your eight-year term, your leadership, vision and, above all, your passion for Canadian sport, have indeed been a winning formula, and have ensured the Canada Games continue to foster world-class amateur sport across this great country.  I’m sure I speak on behalf of everyone here in expressing sincere gratitude and in wishing you the best in all your future endeavours.

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a great pleasure to be with you today here in Summerside, to officially kick off the 2009 Canada Games.  For over four decades,  this biennial celebration of sports and culture has brought together Canada’s best young athletes in the spirit of sportsmanship and national pride.

As our country’s largest national multi-sport event, the Games serve as a superb training ground for international competition.  Indeed, many of those who will be competing for Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler got their start as young participants in these Games.

Over the years, more than ninety-thousand coaches, officials and volunteers have supported nearly fifty-thousand young Canadian athletes in their quest for excellence at the Canada Games.  Included among those thousands are Canadians who have gone on to represent our country on the international stage including at the Olympics.  Heroes like Toller Cranston, Catriona LeMay Doan, Steve Nash and Sidney Crosby.  And of course, such speedskating legends as Gaétan Boucher and Sylvie Daigle.

Over the next two weeks, thousands of visitors from across our land will get a chance to cheer on the next generation of world-class Canadian athletes. And they’ll do it while enjoying the natural beauty of this Island and the unparalleled hospitality of those who call it home.

So on behalf of the Government of Canada I wish the athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers all the best for a successful and memorable 2009 Canada Games.

Thank you.

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