ONTARIO PREPARES TO WELCOME THE OLYMPIC TORCH
McGuinty Government supports community torch relay celebrations
MARKHAM – Ontario is helping Markham to boost its torch relay celebrations and attract more visitors. The Olympic flame will arrive in Markham on December 17 for a mid-day celebration to bring together Ontarians, celebrate community achievements and cheer on Ontario athletes.
Ontario is investing $15,000 to help Markham develop and deliver an enhanced community celebration event marking the anticipated arrival of the Olympic flame. Markham’s event will feature local talent, showcase the community, promote tourism and investment and stimulate the local economy.
“The Olympic flame represents the human spirit of hard work, perseverance, and being the best you can be. This is an inspirational time for our community and an opportunity for us to come together, to celebrate our achievements, cheer on our athletes and show the world what a great province we live in.” — Michael Chan, M.P.P., Markham-Unionville
The Olympic Flame will be in York Region for two days, arriving in Newmarket on December 18 for a mid-day celebration. Ontario is also investing $15,000 in the Newmarket celebration.
The Government of Ontario is a proud partner of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
“We are proud to support local communities and promote Ontario to the world. We know There’s no Place like This to live, visit and invest. We are looking forward to cheering on our athletes and promoting Ontario as a world-class tourism destination.” — Monique Smith, Minister of Tourism
QUICK FACTS
The torch will travel 45,000 kilometres across Canada. It will spend 21 days in Ontario, visit 232 communities and involve 2,900 torchbearers.
There will be 42 communities hosting a mid-day or evening celebration and 20 First Nations communities hosting a traditional Blessing of the Flame ceremony.
The Olympic flame will be within a one-hour drive for 92% of Ontarians.
The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are expected to have over 350,000 visitors, over 3 billion TV viewers worldwide and over 10,000 media in attendance.
LEARN MORE
www.ontario.ca/olympics
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For more information, please contact:
Karen Wilson
Office of Michael Chan, M.P.P.
Markham-Unionville
905-305-1935
