Canada Welcomes the World's Best Curlers to the 2015 Ford World Men's Curling Championship

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwired - March 28, 2015) - Department of Canadian Heritage

The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), today announced $250,000 in funding to Curling Canada, through Sport Canada's Hosting Program, to support the 2015 Ford World Men's Curling Championship. The event is taking place in Halifax from March 28 to April 5.

Quick Facts

• Teams in this event, representing 12 countries, are made up of four players plus an alternate. Canada's team is skipped by Pat Simmons, winner of the 2015 Tim Hortons Brier, the Canadian Men's Curling Championship.
• Events such as the 2015 Ford World Men's Curling Championship are expected to produce significant sport, economic, social and cultural legacies for the host community. The Government of Canada, through Sport Canada's Hosting Program, assists sport organizations in hosting international sport events in Canada.
• In the 2014-15 fiscal year, the Government of Canada, through Sport Canada's Sport Support Program, is contributing up to $2.7 million to Curling Canada to support the delivery of curling in Canada, including the development of athletes, coaches and officials.
• From July 2014 to June 2015, the Government of Canada will provide up to $504,000 through Sport Canada's Athlete Assistance Program to support 40 Canadian curling athletes with training expenses to help them focus on their pursuit of excellence.

Quotes

"It is an honour for Canada to host the 2015 Ford World Men's Curling Championship, and it takes on even greater significance during this Year of Sport in Canada. We are proud to support Curling Canada in bringing the best male curlers in the world to Halifax. It is my hope that this event will inspire young people to be active in sport, and maybe one day compete at the highest level like these curlers. Good luck to all of the athletes competing in Halifax this week; I'm sure the volunteers, organizers, and fans will show you the East Coast hospitality Maritimers are known for."

-The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport)

"I am pleased to welcome all the athletes and visitors to Halifax for the 2015 Ford World Men's Curling Championship. Hosting high-profile international sport events such as this during the Year of Sport in Canada provides an opportunity for our athletes to achieve their sporting goals here at home, and gives a great boost to our local economy."

-The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

"Curling Canada truly appreciates the support of the federal government as we strive to maintain our standing as the world's top-ranked curling program in the men's, women's and wheelchair disciplines. We have a reputation for hosting truly world-class competitions, and this contribution to the 2015 Ford World Men's Curling Championship in Halifax will play a significant role in the success of the event and raising the profile both of our sport and our country."

-Greg Stremlaw, Chief Executive Officer, Curling Canada

Associated Links

Sport Canada

Curling Canada

Ford World Men's Curling Championship

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