Wearing commemorative scarves bearing the insignia of the 2015 Canada Winter Games, British Columbia MLAs gathered on the steps of the Parliament Buildings in Victoria today to mark the two-year point until the Games open in Prince George.

The Canada Winter Games will be held in Prince George from Feb. 13 to March 1, 2015, and are anticipated to have enormous positive economic and social impacts for northern B.C. The Games are expected to generate between $70 million and $90 million in economic benefits.

In addition, the 2015 Games will leave lasting legacies of new or improved sport infrastructure and thousands of trained volunteers.

The Games will showcase Canada's top high-performance athletes - our future Olympians and Paralympians. British Columbia will field a team of 350 athletes, coaches and mission staff and look to finish in the top three medal count at the Games. The sport and cultural programs created as a legacy of the Games will benefit B.C. families for years to come.

The B.C. government has provided $11.12 million in funding for the event, which has been matched by the federal government. With additional contributions of the Host Society and the City of Prince George, the total budget for the Games is approximately $46 million.

The 2015 Canada Winter Games will feature 19 official sports, as well as Paralympic and Special Olympic competitions.

(flickr.com)

Bill Bennett, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development -

"Today, we are celebrating that we are two years out from the biggest sporting event ever to be held in northern British Columbia. The Canada Winter Games mean $70 to $90 million in positive economic impact - dollars that will have a real and positive effect on B.C. families. This is a huge win for all British Columbians, and especially for the North."

Shirley Bond, MLA for Prince George-Valemount -

"The City of Prince George is buzzing with excitement, and no wonder! The 2015 Canada Winter Games will bring to town Canada's best young athletes - our future Olympic and Paralympic champions."

"By highlighting sport, we encourage healthy, active lifestyles for all British Columbians."

Pat Bell, MLA for Prince-George-Mackenzie -

"The 2015 Canada Winter Games will be the biggest multi-sport event ever to come to northern B.C., and they will leave enduring legacies of sport infrastructure and program development, conditioned athletes, and skilled volunteers. We are proud to support the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George."

Anthony Everett, 2015 Canada Winter Games chairman -

"When the nation arrives in two years, our MLAs will play an integral role in ensuring that our provincial communities will celebrate this significant event. Being able to share this milestone with representatives from across the province helps us engage and unite British Columbia as we prepare to host our first ever Canada Winter Games. We are proud of the continued support from our funding parties, including the Province of British Columbia."

Quick Facts:

• The 2015 Canada Winter Games will be the largest multi-sport and cultural event ever held in northern British Columbia.

• Over 3,400 athletes, coaches, staff and officials will participate in the Games from over 800 Canadian communities.

• About 4,500 volunteers will be involved.

• 15,000 visitors will experience Prince George and northern British Columbia.

• B.C. has previously hosted the 1993 Canada Summer Games (Kamloops) and the 1973 Canada Summer Games (New Westminster). B.C. has never hosted a Canada Winter Games.

• 2015 will mark the 25th Edition of the Canada Games, the University of Northern British Columbia's 25th Anniversary and the City of Prince George's 100th Birthday.

• Team BC finished third behind Quebec and Ontario at the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax, winning its most medals ever at a Canada Winter Games.

• The Canada Games were established in 1967, Canada's Centennial year.

Learn More:

2015 Prince George Canada Winter Games: http://www.canadagames2015.ca/

Contacts:

Matt Gordon
Communications Director
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 953-3677

Mike Davis
Director, Marketing and Communications
2015 Canada Winter Games
250 640-0886