The Government of Canada has announced it is committed to granting all Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) nations’ accredited participants access to Canada during their visit to Toronto in 2015 by way of their PASO identity cards.
The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport) said, “our government looks forward to welcoming the finest athletes in the Americas to Toronto and the Greater Golden Horseshoe in 2015, and we are working with all of our partners to ensure that these will be the greatest Pan American and Parapan American Games ever. This decision reinforces our commitment to assist in making this bid a complete success, and I am eager to do my part to help bring these Games back to Canada”.
The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance said, “our government’s commitment to Toronto’s bid remains strong and we’re thrilled to assist in making the athlete experience as seamless as possible. Having the PASO identity cards function as travel visas facilitates access to Canada and promotes a great Games experience for all Pan Am participants”.
The Honourable David Peterson, Chair of the Toronto 2015 bid committee said, “the federal government’s commitment to the bid is stronger than ever and we thank Ministers Kenney, (Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism) Flaherty and Lunn for their swift action on the issue. We’re thrilled to know that accredited participants will not only have a great Games experience but also a great travel experience to and from the Games”.
