The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) is pleased with the Martin government's decision to increase funding for amateur sport by an additional $20 million per year in the 2005 Budget. In addition, the COC is pleased that the government has rolled into the base funding for high performance sport an additional $50 million that was part of Sport Canada's high performance funding last year which was set to expire at the end of 2004. "We are pleased that the Martin government has significantly increased funding for sport in Canada," said COC President, Michael Chambers. "The increase demonstrates the federal government's increasing commitment to high performance sport in Canada. This new funding will help build long-term sustainability for the sport community and greater success for all our athletes." The COC has been actively advocating for increased federal funding for sport. Most recently, representatives of the sport community, including the COC, Sport Matters Group, the Canadian Paralympic Committee, National Sport Federations and Olympic athletes and coaches met with Members of Parliament, and senior government officials to present their vision for amateur sport in Canada and the Own the Podium program. "We are happy that Minister Owen recognizes the important role that sport plays in Canada," noted Chris Rudge, COC CEO. "It is an essential component of our culture not only in terms of the national pride that is fostered when Canadian athletes win Olympic medals, but also in terms of the benefit to our health and well being from participating in sport. There is a significant return to Canadians on the federal investment in sport." The COC will continue working with Minister Owen, national funding partners, the private sector, and National Sport Federations, to further develop the Own the Podium program for success at the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver and to create a similar program for summer sport, which allows for success of Canadian athletes in future summer Olympic Games. The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) is a national, private, not-for- profit organization committed to sport excellence. It is responsible for all aspects of Canada's involvement in the Olympic movement, including Canada's participation in the Olympic and Pan American Games and a wide variety of programs that promote the Olympic Movement in Canada through cultural and educational means. For more information see the COC website: www.olympic.ca.
