13 January 2017How to show your support for the Canada Summer Games in Ottawa_ (Via City of Ottawa) _ Residents can join in the excitement as Ottawa bids to host the Canada Summer Games in 2021 by registering their support at Ottawa2021.ca . As part of the bid process, the City wants to showcase the strong community support and enthusiasm for hosting the event. The Canada Games are this country’s largest multi-sport event for the next generation of national team athletes and represent the pinnacle of interprovincial/territorial sport competition. It would be the biggest sporting event ever hosted in Ottawa. In addition to the 4,600 elite Canadian athletes who would compete at the Games, the event would bring an estimated 20,000 visitors to Ottawa, creating more than 1,000 jobs and generating more than $150 million in local economic activity. A community celebration held at City Hall Thursday heightened excitement for the City’s bid, with more than 250 residents attending the party hosted by Mayor Jim Watson, Councillor Jody Mitic, City of Ottawa Sports Commissioner, Ottawa 2021 Bid Committee Co-chairs Cyril Leeder, President of the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club, and four-time Olympian Sue Holloway. The support shown by the community both online and at community events strengthens the City’s bid, which will be evaluated by the Canada Games Council and scored against other bids from Greater Sudbury, Niagara Region, and a partnership between the cities of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge. An announcement of the successful bid is expected at the end of March 2017. ** Quotes ** “Ottawa is the destination of choice for the 2021 Canada Summer Games, and the resulting economic benefits for our community would be significant. The support expressed so far by residents has been phenomenal, and now we need to continue the momentum. We are asking residents to demonstrate their ongoing support by registering online at Ottawa2021.ca to help us bring the Games to Ottawa.” _ Mayor Jim Watson, City of Ottawa _ “Hosting the Canada Summer Games would provide Ottawa residents with the chance to experience firsthand national-calibre sporting events where they can cheer on our Canadian athletes and future Olympians. The Games will also provide an opportunity to showcase Ottawa’s own talented athletes and our outstanding facilities.” _ Councillor Jody Mitic, City of Ottawa Sports Commissioner _ ** Quick Facts: ** * The Canada Summer Games were last held in Sherbrooke, Québec in 2013, where they attracted 16,000 visitors and generated an estimated $165 million in economic impact. * Promoting the nation’s capital as an ideal location for major national and international events and conventions is a cornerstone of the City’s economic development plan. * The City developed the _ Bid More, Win More, Host More _ strategy in partnership with Ottawa Tourism to promote Ottawa as a world-class event hosting destination, create jobs and grow our local economy. * The Canada Games rank alongside other major sporting events like the Grey Cup, World Junior Hockey Championship and FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) championships. * The Games are a two-week long sporting event that would take place in late July and early August of 2021. ** ** ** Website ** ottawa2021.ca