Sport Nova Scotia – Halifax, NS – Tony Ince, Minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage and Ben Zisserson, Chair of the Canada Games Management Committee, are pleased to announce that Stephen Gallant has been selected as Nova Scotia’s Chef de Mission for the 2017 Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg, MB.

A former teacher and school principal, Mr. Gallant is the Executive Director of the Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation. Formerly he served as Senior Director of the Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation Branch of the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness. Mr. Gallant serves as Chair of the Board of the Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic. A graduate of the National Coaching Institute in Victoria, he has also coached at the national, club, and university levels in both volleyball and canoe kayak.

Committee Chair Ben Zisserson says, “We’re very pleased the minister has accepted our recommendation. Stephen is a proven leader who has impacted every aspect of the sport system as an administrator, an athlete, a coach, a volunteer and, for the past nine years, within government. His experience as a teacher and a school principal is both complementary and invaluable to this leadership role for athletes and coaches alike. Having a Chef de Mission with Stephen’s credentials speaks volumes to this province’s Canada Games program and the overall caliber of Team Nova Scotia.”

“Nova Scotia’s Canada Games team inspires active and competitive youth to achieve greatly,” said Mr. Ince. “Stephen Gallant’s significant experience in sport will make him an ideal chef for our Canada Games team.”

Stephen was a Canada Games athlete himself. He was a double gold medalist in canoe kayak at the 1981 Canada Games. Additionally he was the head coach of the men’s volleyball team at the 1997 and 2001 Canada Games. He was a member of the Operations Committee for the 2011 Canada Games and a member of the Board of Directors for the Canada Games Council from 2010-2013.

“My exposure to Canada Games in the past confirmed the value, uniqueness, and positive experience that the Canada Games offers to aspiring Nova Scotia athletes. I look forward to a great year of preparation culminating with a thrilling event for our team in Winnipeg,” says Gallant.

The Chef de Mission is the head of delegation for Team Nova Scotia’s contingent of athletes, coaches, and managers who represent the province at the Canada Games. As Chef, Stephen will lead a team of Mission Staff who manage logistics, disseminate information, organize events, handle administrative tasks, troubleshoot, and liaise with the host society to support and promote Team Nova Scotia.

Members of the Canada Games Management Committee are:

Ben Zisserson, Chair (Sport Nova Scotia Board of Directors)

Aaron Nutting (Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage rep)

Troy Myers (Community sport rep)

Jamie Ferguson (Sport Nova Scotia rep)

Ken Bagnell (Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic rep)

Lorraine Burch (Community sport rep)

Doug Clarke (Community sport rep)

Sue Beazley (Past mission staff rep)

Ray Fisher (Past coach rep)

Darren Bogle (Past athlete rep)

Bette El Hawary (Prof staff rep)

Mark Smith (Ex-officio, Chef de Mission)

Amy Walsh (Ex-officio, Sport Nova Scotia)

Michelle Aucoin (Ex-officio, Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage)

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For more information please contact:

Carolyn Townsend

Director, Communications and Public Relations

Sport Nova Scotia

Tel: 902-425-5450

Cell: 902-830-7227