Federal support for World Police and Fire Games out of line with economic impact and past commitments

VANCOUVER - The Conservative government has failed to offer substantial support for the 2009 World Police and Fire Games (WPFG), which are expected to bring in as much as $50 million into the local B.C. economy, Liberal Western Economic Diversification Critic Sukh Dhaliwal and Amateur Sport Critic Keith Martin said today.

“Canada has hosted the World Police and Fire Games a number of times, and never has the federal funding commitment been so inadequate,” said Mr. Dhaliwal. “Why isn’t Western Economic Diversification Minister Lynne Yelich pressing the government to provide the requested $1.5 million for an event expected to draw thousands of participants to Vancouver and give a boost to the local economy?”

From July 31 to August 9, the WPFG is expected to attract 19,000 police, fire, and customs and border personnel, 10,000 athletes from over 70 countries, and an entourage of 25,000 guests.

The federal government has a long history of supporting the WPFG games when Canada has played host in the past (Vancouver in 1989, Calgary in 1997, Quebec City in 2005). In 2005, when the Games were last held in Canada, the WPFG received $1.6 million to support and showcase the event.

For this year’s Games, the WPFG applied for additional funding from Heritage Canada, but its request was refused.

Mr. Martin said that the level of federal funding for the WPFG, which is the world’s third largest sporting event, is insufficient given its economic advantages.

“Second only to the Winter Olympics, this is the largest sporting event that Vancouver and British Columbia have ever hosted in advance of the Winter Olympics,” said Mr. Martin. “It’s baffling to see this Conservative government come up so short in its support for this event when Canadians have much to gain in ensuring that these international games are a success.”

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Contact:

John Delacourt
Office of Sukh Dhaliwal
613-863-7854
dhalis0@parl.gc.ca

Office of the Hon. Keith Martin
613-996-2625