The Province is providing $2 million to help bring the largest women's sporting event in the world to British Columbia, announced Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

Vancouver is one of six candidate cities - Edmonton, Montreal, Moncton, Ottawa and Winnipeg are the others - vying to host soccer matches in the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015. By providing this level of support, payable if the city is selected as a host, the B.C. government is ensuring Vancouver meets the requirements of a host city. The federal government will match all funding provided by the provinces.

Hundreds of thousands of spectators are expected to attend the 2015 World Cup matches, and many would be visitors from outside of B.C. The 2015 World Cup will provide increased exposure for the province's tourism, recreation and hospitality sectors.

Quotes:

Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development -

"FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 will provide a lift to the local economy and serve as a beacon for the thousands of young soccer players in B.C. to follow. Our government is proud to support this endeavour, which would allow British Columbia to once again shine on the world sporting stage."

Peter Montopoli, general secretary, Canadian Soccer Association -

"The FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 will be the largest women's event of any kind. It represents an incomparable opportunity for Canadian soccer fans across the country to engage and experience women's football at its best."

"The Canadian Soccer Association is thrilled to have Vancouver amongst the candidate bid cities and is confident that, if called upon, it would once again demonstrate its support for the beautiful game."

John Herdman, head coach, Canadian women's national soccer team -

"The people of Vancouver have been incredibly supportive of this team and of women's football."

"Canada hosting a world-class event such as the FIFA Women's World Cup will not only raise the profile of the sport in this country, but also provide an incredible platform to develop the game from grassroots to the national team."

Quick Facts:

• In March 2011, the Canadian Soccer Association won the right to host the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015.
• The FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 is the largest single-sport women's championship.
• The Canadian women's national soccer team won a gold medal at the 2011 Pan Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico and is the only Canadian team sport currently qualified for this summer's Olympic Games in London, England.
• Soccer is the most popular sport in B.C. according to participation rates.
• The ministry fully expects that the Province would recover its $2-million investment in the 2015 World Cup from increased provincial taxes and higher revenue earned by the BC Pavilion Corporation, which operates BC Place Stadium, where these matches would be played.

Learn More:

FIFA men's and women's tournaments: http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/index.html

Canadian women's national soccer team: http://www.canadasoccer.com/

Contact:

Jeff Rud
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 953-3677