Officially Canada’s Games

Every one of Canada’s provinces and territories has signed on to participate in the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

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.

“The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games offer Canadians a unique, once-in-a-generation opportunity to celebrate our Canadian identity and show the world who we are as a people,” said John Furlong, VANOC Chief Executive Officer. “Between the MOUs and the Contributing Province/Territory Program, we will ensure every region of Canada is showcased on the world stage and benefits directly from the power of the 2010 Winter Games.”

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.”