Officially Canada’s Games
June 18, 2008
Manitoba Premier Gary Doer (L) signs the memorandum of understanding with VANOC on March 17, 2008. (VANOC photo)
Sharing the Games with the entire country has been a long
standing vision of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010
Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). Today the final
memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by the
Province of Saskatchewan and the vision of Canada's Games is being
realized.
On October 7, 2005, Québec was the first province to
sign an MOU with VANOC. Since then, Canada’s remaining
nine provinces and three territories have each taken their turn to
define how they will support VANOC’s mission to touch
the soul of the nation and inspire the world.
Each MOU is unique, but typically an MOU outlines a number of
potential areas where the province or territory can collaborate
with VANOC to successfully deliver the Games. These areas may
include:
-
Participating in the events and activities associated with the torch relay when it passes through the country’s provinces and territories prior to the 2010 Winter Games.
-
Establishing informational displays in Vancouver and/or Whistler during the Games to showcase local cultural performers and athletes.
-
Ensuring provincial and territorial Aboriginal participation in the 2010 Winter Games and in events leading up to the Games.
-
Showcasing provincial and territorial artists and arts organizations.
-
Developing initiatives that promote tourism, immigration, trade and investment.
-
Promoting educational and volunteer opportunities relating to sport and culture, and encouraging healthy lifestyles.
Once an MOU is signed, an individual province or territory can
choose to become part of the Contributing Province/Territory
Program(CPTP). Under the CPTP, participating provinces and
territories make a financial contribution toward the success of
Canadian athletes in 2010 through the Own the Podium 2010 program,
and toward culture and arts through the Vancouver 2010 Cultural
Olympiad program.
On January 26, 2008, The Province of Ontario celebrates their memorandum of understanding with VANOC and agrees to become part of the contributing province/territory program. (VANOC photo)
VANOC developed the program in response to interest demonstrated
by Canada’s territories and provinces outside of BC to
allow for greater involvement in Vancouver 2010. On January 26,
2008, Ontario, Canada’s largest province became the
first to officially take part in the CPTP program.
The CPTP offers a heightened level of engagement by including
benefits similar to those associated with corporate sponsorship.
Provinces and territories have signed on to help welcome the world
in 2010 while showcasing their region’s local culture
and talent. It’s a massive stage: The 2010 Winter Games
— featuring more than 5,500 Olympic athletes and
officials from 80 countries and 1,350 Paralympic athletes and
officials from 40 countries — are expected to be
watched by more than three billion viewers.
Added Furlong: “Through these programs, each
province and territory that participates will create and gain from
its own 2010 legacy — a legacy that will last well
after the Olympic and Paralympic Flames are
extinguished.”
Print This Page
