View From the Legislature

From July 28th to August 13th, Manitoba will host the Canada Summer Games for their 50th anniversary and Canada’s 150th birthday.

The competition is our country’s largest multi-sport event for young athletes and will see Manitoba welcome over 4,000 athletes and coaches and more than 20,000 visitors. With over 250 events planned, 16 sports and a major cultural festival, young athletes from around the nation will come together to promote unity, community, and cultural diversity.

These athletes are our country’s next generation of national, international and Olympic champions, and the games have been a proving ground for some of today’s most well-known athletes like; Susan Auch, Sidney Crosby, Cindy Klassen, Catriona Le May Doan, Steve Nash, Sami-Jo Small, Bruny Surin and Adam van Koeverden.

Volunteer participation in the community has been incredible, with commitments ranging from a few hours over the course of the two weeks, to a few hours every night. Over 6,000 volunteers will help staff the Canada Summer Games, and it is expected that 36,000 shifts will be filled. Manitobans have a long and committed tradition of volunteering and I’m proud of our province’s generosity of spirit.

I wish all participants all the best in the games to come; play hard, have fun, and respect one another.