TORONTO – AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes, released the following statement Friday regarding the departure of The Honourable Carla Qualtrough from Canada’s Cabinet and the appointment of The Honorable Terry Duguid as Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada.
“On behalf of Canada’s national team athletes, we thank Minister Qualtrough for her decades of public service and for all she has done to help us build a strong, athlete-centred sport system. Her steadfast support of athletes through both the first increase in Athlete Assistance Program funding in seven years and the establishment of the Future of Sport in Canada Commission has been deeply appreciated. AthletesCAN also wishes to express our sincere appreciation to Minister Qualtrough for the extensive support she has provided us during her appointments as Minister, including guaranteeing increased funding which has allowed us to maintain our four staff members to better serve athletes and for increased programming including our flagship AthletesCAN Forum and maintaining AthleteHUB. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours.
We also welcome Minister Duguid to the roles of Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada. As the son of a former National and World Champion curler, we know that Minister Duguid has a firsthand understanding of the important issues facing Team Canada’s athletes and the larger Canadian sport system. We look forward to working together to build a stronger, safer sport system for all who choose to participate.”
About AthletesCAN
AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes, is the only fully independent and most inclusive athlete organization in the country and the first organization of its kind in the world. As the voice of over 6,000 current and recently retired Canadian national team athletes, AthletesCAN membership spans 68 sports across the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan/Parapan American, and Commonwealth Games, and those currently funded by Sport Canada competing at Senior World Championships.
AthletesCAN ensures an athlete-centered sport system by developing athlete leaders who influence sport policy and, as role models, inspire a strong sport culture, through educational resources, support, training and professional development.
Follow the #AthleteVoice on social @AthletesCAN
For more information, please contact:
Alicia Renaud-Paquin
Manager, Athlete Relations & Marketing
AthletesCAN
613-526-4025 Ext. 224
arenaudpaquin@athletescan.ca