Canada’s Goals

In less than a month, the eyes of the world turn to Canada for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Canadians will be given a once-in-a-generation opportunity to send a powerful message about who we are as a country and a people.

Although the 2010 Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler, they are Canada’s Games and will present an unparalleled opportunity to celebrate and showcase Canadian athletic, artistic and cultural excellence on a national and international scale. The Games will also create shared and lasting legacies for Canadian communities, businesses and citizens across the entire country.

As a committed key partner in the planning and delivery of the 2010 Winter Games, the Government of Canada is working to ensure that benefits achieved as a result of hosting the Games will extend beyond 2010.

Athletic Excellence
In 2010, Canada’s premiere Olympians and Paralympians will compete against the world’s best, and Canada has ambitious goals for success. Through the Own the Podium – 2010 initiative, Canada aims to achieve athletic excellence by finishing first in the medal count at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and among the top three at the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

Aboriginal Participation
The Government of Canada is working with its 2010 Games Partners to achieve unprecedented Aboriginal participation in all aspects of the Games. It is working to ensure the 2010 Winter Games leave a legacy of economic and social benefits for all of Canada’s Aboriginal peoples.

Official Languages
Recognizing Canada’s unique opportunity to promote its linguistic duality through the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Government of Canada is strongly committed to ensuring that our two official languages are fully incorporated to the organizing and hosting of the Games.

Sustainability
Since 1994, environmental protection has been one of the three pillars of the Olympic Movement, along with sport and culture. For Canada, integrating environmental considerations into 2010 Winter Games decision-making processes, is a natural demonstration of its commitment to ensuring the Games deliver sustainable legacies for all Canadians.

Through innovative planning and design, Canada’s 2010 Winter Games facilities and supporting infrastructure will contribute to a foundation of sustainable development.

Spreading the spirit of the Games across Canada
The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will be the largest, most spectacular international event to take place in Canada in this generation.  The Government of Canada, and all partners involved in the 2010 Winter Games, is striving to make these Canada’s Games.

Domestic Business Development
It is estimated that the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) will spend as much as $2 billion on goods and services to host the Games. Other 2010 Games partners,sponsors and other organizations involved will likely spend an additional $2 billion on goods and services. This spending will allow businesses of all sizes to capitalize on business opportunities associated with the Games. The Government of Canada is working to promote awareness and facilitate access to the 2010 business and procurement opportunities available to Canadian entrepreneurs and businesses.

Promoting Canada Abroad
The 2010 Winter Games are an occasion to showcase Canada as an innovative and dynamic partner in business, research and development, science and technology, and culture. The Government of Canada wants to ensure that come 2010, when the eyes of the world focus on Canada, global business leaders consider Canada a dynamic nation with strong fundamentals and world-leading capabilities in a range of sectors.

The Games are also an opportunity to market Canada to millions of potential visitors from around the world and to a worldwide television audience of three (3) billion. Through the Canadian Tourism Commission, Canada will reach out to this massive global audience to show what makes our country such a great place to visit.