NEWS RELEASE
April 13, 2006
McGuinty Government Supports Bids To Host 2009 World
Junior Hockey Championships
Minister Watson Supports Ontario Cities In Calgary April 18
TORONTO – The Ontario government will demonstrate its commitment to host the 2009 World Junior Hockey Championships by supporting the bids by both Ottawa and Toronto, announced Minister of Health Promotion Jim Watson today.
The two cities will make bid presentations to Hockey Canada’s selection committee in Calgary on April 18.
“The Championships belong in Ontario and the McGuinty government is committed to bringing them here,” said Watson. “By hosting this event, the province benefits from tourism, jobs and the tremendous influence that an event of this level has on encouraging people to get active.”
The province is supporting the two bids by Ottawa and Toronto as part of the Ministry of Health Promotion’s commitment to attracting world class sport events to the province.
This commitment is an element of ACTIVE2010: Ontario’s Sport and Physical Activity Strategy to increase Ontarians’ participation in physical activity and sport.
“Hockey is Canada's great game. The chance to work with Hockey Canada and the province to bring this event here is a tremendous opportunity for all Ontarians,” said Eugene Melnyk, owner of the Ottawa Senators and Chair of Ottawa's bid team. “The city of Ottawa and the many surrounding communities that are part of our bid, applaud the Premier and his government for being such an active partner in helping to bring the 2009 World Junior Hockey Championships to Ontario.”
“We believe it's time that Toronto hosted the World Junior Championship,” said Darryl Sittler, honourary chairman of the Toronto Bid Committee. “Toronto is known to be the hockey capital of the world and it is a huge part of our city's history. Torontonians have already begun to embrace the idea of hosting the 2009 World Junior Championship, which would leave a lasting hockey legacy for our world-class city.”
The Ministry of Health Promotion was established in June 2005 to improve and deliver programs that contribute to healthy living and wellness in this province. Key priority areas include Ontario’s smoke-free strategy, healthy eating, active living, injury prevention and mental health.
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For further information:
Rui Manuel Estevão
Minister’s Office
416-326-8497
Julie Rosenberg
Ministry of Health Promotion
416-326-4833
