Ontario Trails News - Announcing the Pan-Am and Parapan Am Games and a link to Ontario Trails - Thanks Ontario!

News Release Ontario to Stage a World-Class Pan Am and Parapan Am Games in 2015 August 28, 2013 Province Launches Strategy to Create a Lasting Pan Am and Parapan Am Games Legacy Ontario is launching its Pan Am and Parapan Am Games Promotion, Celebration and Legacy Strategy to increase the economic benefits and support them in becoming the People's Games. The Games and Games-related investments will create more than 26,000 jobs - a boost of 11,000 jobs from an earlier assessment, and grow Ontario's real GDP by $3.7 billion from 2009 to 2017. A key part of the strategy is a plan to celebrate and showcase Ontario talent from the stage to the stadium in local communities. The strategy will also create a lasting legacy for people across Ontario by: Enhancing support for live music, celebrations and festivals, adding to Ontario's reputation as a live music destination Helping kids stay active and healthy Encouraging families to get outside and enjoy Ontario's trails Strengthening business development opportunities in the Pan Americas for Ontario's companies Promoting volunteerism during the Games by organizing and training up to 20,000 municipal and TO2015 volunteers Supporting athlete and sport development at all levels - from amateur to high-performance athletes Showcasing Ontario's diverse communities, including Aboriginal, Francophone and LGBT communities. Supporting a memorable and successful 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games is part of the Ontario government's plan to showcase the province, while creating jobs and positioning Ontario as a sport tourism destination for years to come.

QUICK FACTS The 2015 Games will be the largest international sport event ever held in Canada and will be seen by hundreds of millions of people across the Americas and the Caribbean. The Games will attract as many as a quarter million visitors who will stay in local hotels, see great shows and attractions, dine in restaurants and shop in the province’s stores. Ontario will invest $42 million over three years in the Promotion, Celebration and Legacy Strategy for the Games. The Pan American Sport Organization (PASO) will host its next Annual General Assembly in Toronto October 7-10, 2013 – showcasing our province pre-Games. The province will make appropriate and necessary investments to ensure Ontarians and visitors can enjoy the Games in a secure and safe environment, traffic disruptions are minimized and public health is protected.

LEARN MORE What People Are Saying About Ontario's Promotion, Celebration, and Legacy Strategy for the Games Ontario’s Role in the 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games

QUOTES "The 2015 Games will serve as an enduring expression of Ontario pride – as we welcome the world to celebrate the creativity, diversity and hospitality that is synonymous with Ontario. Comparable to similar Games, we are already ahead in the planning stages and will make these Games enjoyable for all."  — Michael Chan, Minister Responsible for the Pan/Parapan American Games "As we prepare to field the largest-ever Pan American team in Canadian history for the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games, we are confident that this inspiring display of athletic excellence will enhance the experience of sport and culture for Ontario residents, enrich trade for the province’s local businesses and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come."  — Marcel Aubut, President, Canadian Olympic Committee "Ontario’s continued investment in sport is creating opportunities for the next generation of athletes with a disability. Many young Canadians will experience the TORONTO 2015 Parapan American Games and will be inspired to become champions, on and off the field of play."  — Gaétan Tardif, Canadian Paralympic Committee "By making these key investments, Ontario is ensuring it fully exploits and maximizes the potential of hosting the People’s Games in the summer of 2015 and as a legacy for future generations. We don’t get opportunities like this very often – we’re delighted that the Province of Ontario wants to make the most of it!"  — Roger Garland, Chairman, TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015)