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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 are striving to make these Canada’s Games.
With presence in every region of the country, the Government of Canada is positioned to help bring the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games to all Canadians. The federal government is collaborating with its 2010 partners and stakeholders on initiatives to make every Canadian from St. John’s to Resolute, and to Lethbridge to Whitehorse feel proud of hosting the 2010 Winter Games.
These Games will give Canadians a once-in-a-generation opportunity to tell its unique story of linguistic duality, Aboriginal cultures, vibrant multicultural dimensions and economic innovation. Hosting the Games will involve talent from across the country—from athletes aiming for the podium, to torch bearers in the Olympic and Paralympic relays, to performers in the Opening Ceremonies and the Cultural Olympiad.
Cultural Celebrations and the Games Experience
One of the main ways the Government of Canada hopes to engage Canadians is through cultural celebrations. The Torch Relay, the Cultural Olympiad, the Opening Ceremonies, and Celebration Sites will therefore all receive financial contributions from the Government of Canada.
The 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays will travel across hundreds of Canadian communities, stopping in every province and territory, and generating a long lasting pride in the nation. The Olympic Flame will be carried on its journey by some 12000 torchbearers. The Paralympic Torch Relay while smaller in scale will also travel across Canada.
The Cultural Olympiad embodies the spirit of the Games. They are a multi-faceted, multi-disciplinary and culturally diverse display of Canada's and the world’s artistic innovation. These events will feature music, theatre, dance, film, new media, literature, visual arts, street arts, Aboriginal arts, nationally televised galas, touring celebrations, online creative projects, community celebrations, and much more.
Drawing on a wealth of symbols, stories, and themes which represent Canada, the Opening Ceremonies will feature a rich tapestry of both national and international talent.
Celebration Sites will be established in both Vancouver and Whistler to extend first-hand Games-time experiences to as many people as possible. Events such as live concerts, performances, festivities, and the broadcasting of Games-time events on giant screens will be offered the public free of charge.
Collaborations for Pan-Canadian Engagement: Official Languages
The Government of Canada recognizes Canada’s unique opportunity to promote its linguistic duality through the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and is strongly committed to ensuring that our two official languages are fully incorporated in the organizing and hosting of the Games.
The Government of Canada is working closely with the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games Organizing Committee (VANOC), as well as the Fédération des francophones de la Colombie-Britannique(FFCB) and the Canadian Foundation for Cross-Cultural Dialogue to enhance the use of the two official languages and to promote the culture and identity of the Francophone and Acadian Communities across Canada in preparation for and during the Games.
Collaborations for Pan-Canadian Engagement: Aboriginal Peoples
The Government of Canada is working with its 2010 Games Partners, and notably the Four Host First Nations Society to achieve unprecedented Aboriginal participation in all aspects of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. It is working to ensure the 2010 Winter Games leave a legacy of economic and social benefits for all Aboriginal peoples in Canada.
The Four Host First Nations Society’s mandate is to ensure that the cultures and traditions of the four First Nations are acknowledged, respected and showcased throughout the planning, staging, and hosting of the 2010 Winter Games, as the Games are taking place in their shared traditional territories. The 2010 Winter Games mark the first time in history that Indigenous Peoples are equal partners in the planning and hosting of the Games.
The Four Host First Nations Society has strong partnerships with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), and the Métis Nation British Columbia to help engage Aboriginal peoples all across Canada. In addition, strong relationships have been developed with Aboriginal Tourism BC, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Vancouver Community College, the Canadian Tourism Commission, and 2010 Legacies Now to ensure strong Aboriginal participation. Discussions are currently underway with a number of other regional and local groups of Indigenous Peoples and organizations to discuss opportunities for participation and partnerships.
Collaborations for Pan-Canadian Engagement: Events
To bring the 2010 Winter Games to more Canadians, the Government of Canada has collaborated with many partners to host events outside the Vancouver-Whistler corridor.
For example, to celebrate the two-year countdown to the Games in February 2008, the 2010 Federal Secretariat worked with the National Capital Commission, the Canadian Tourism Commission, Bell Canada, and Omega to unveil a countdown clock in Ottawa.
The official launch of the Clock was held on February 6, 2008, and attended by members of the public, as well as many members of the Cabinet and other parliamentarians who came out to express their support for the Games. The Clock is located at the Capital Information Centre, directly across from the Parliament of Canada. This location allows thousands of domestic and international visitors to the nation’s capital to start to feel the excitement of the 2010 Winter Games as we approach the Opening Ceremonies.
The 2010 Federal Secretariat, in collaboration with State Ceremonial and the Corporate Events Directorate within the department of Canadian Heritage, and the National Capital Commission, promoted the Government of Canada’s involvement in the 2010 Winter Games during Canada Day Celebrations on July 1, 2008, in the nation’s capital.
Quatchi, Miga and Sumi, the Vancouver 2010 Mascots, came out to celebrate Canada’s birthday in Ottawa and bring the spirit of Canada’s Games to more than 30,000 people who attend the Noon Hour Show on Parliament Hill. The 2010 Winter Games team had a kiosk and continued to demonstrate the Government of Canada’s commitment to the Games throughout the day.
Upcoming Events
The 2010 Federal Secretariat is exploring opportunities with key partners to see how Canada Day 2009 celebrations can help bring Canada’s Games to even more Canadians.
Check back here to see when the 2010 Winter Games team will be at an event near you!
Collaborations for Pan-Canadian Engagement
The 2010 Federal Secretariat is collaborating with the Canadian Capital Cities Organization, and many other 2010 Winter Games partners, to explore new ideas to engage more Canadians in every province and territory in the excitement of the 2010 Winter Games.
Making These Canada’s Games
Hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games is a unique opportunity for Canada to promote its accomplishments and innovations to the world, while realizing sustainable social, cultural, and economic benefits across the country and for all Canadians.
The potential of the Olympic Games goes beyond that of a major sport event. They are often characterized as a once in a lifetime opportunity for its hosts to drive new infrastructure, and stimulate economic development, tourism, volunteerism, employment, etc. and even promote sport participation and development.
The Government of Canada is striving to bring both the excitement and the benefits of hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games to all Canadians, from coast to coast to coast.
