Sports Minister Michael Chong promoted Halifax’s bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games at the Sixth Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting.
Chong said, “the Government of Canada is using every opportunity, including the Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting, to promote Halifax’s bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Hosting international sport events has significant social, cultural and economic benefits for Canada”.
He said, “the Commonwealth Games promote friendship between nations and provide opportunities to strengthen sport development programs. The Games also highlight the role that sport plays in social and individual development an in promoting health living”.
Chong met with delegations from 24 Commonwealth countries to reinforce Canada’s interest in hosting the Games, to raise awareness of the 2014 Halifax bid, and to solicit their support.
Meanwhile, in a closed-door meeting Tuesday Halifax regional council ratified a closed-door decision made two weeks ago to contribute $1.5 million, its share of the bid budget, to Halifax 2014, reports the Chronicle Herald. The cost of the Games has been estimated at $785 million.
