The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development:

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to share an update on our preparations for the 2025 Canada Summer Games.

I was proud to join the Premier on February 25 as the Canada Games Council launched the bid process here at Confederation Building, and I’m excited to hear that the City of St. John’s Bid Preparation Team has hit the ground running.

Mr. Speaker, the 2025 Games will be a tremendous opportunity for our athletes to shine on the national stage and gain valuable experience in competing against their peers from across the country.

We are committed to supporting athletes to reach their goals, and providing funding to help them get ready for the 2025 Games.

I’m pleased to report that we have formed a Sport Excellence Committee to advise us on the best ways to enhance athlete performance with that funding.

The Sport Excellence Committee will be co-chaired by Mr. Frank Humber and a representative from my department, and will include members from Sport NL, the Newfoundland and Labrador Sport Centre, the Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle of Newfoundland and Labrador and other sport leaders from throughout our province.

I want to thank Mr. Humber and all the members of the committee for their commitment to sport excellence and I look forward to working with them.

Mr. Speaker, we know that the City of St. John’s, with support from the Federal and Provincial Governments, will deliver an incredible Canada Games experience that people will be talking about for years to come!

Thank you.