The 2013 Sherbrooke Canada Summer Games finished amid fireworks and cheering crowds as the Games torch was handed off to B.C. - the host province of the next Canada Games.

Decked out in Prince George 2015 Canada Winter Games colours, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Coralee Oakes was joined by Prince George Mayor Shari Green, Lheidli T'enneh First Nation Chief Dominic Frederick and 2015 Host Society chair Anthony Everett on stage to receive the torch. Oakes then passed the torch to Team BC Closing Ceremony flag-bearer Ben Chow, who began the symbolic journey to B.C.

Prince George will play host to the 2015 Canada Winter Games from Feb. 13 to March 1, 2015. It will be the largest multi-sport event ever to be held in northern British Columbia and is expected to have an economic impact exceeding $70 million. The Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development has provided $11.12 million in funding.

Team BC gave another solid performance at the Sherbrooke Canada Summer Games, finishing in third place in the medal standings, with a final tally of 122 medals:

• 47 gold
• 36 silver
• 39 bronze

Ontario and Quebec were first and second in the medal standings.

B.C.'s sport sector supports athletes from playground to podium through funding for sport programs and events, provincial sport organizations, training for coaches and leaders, and high-performance funding.

Quotes:

Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development -

"What a fabulous Canada Summer Games this has been! I'd like to congratulate Team BC athletes, coaches, volunteers and mission staff for an excellent performance and Sherbrooke for an outstanding job as host city."

"I can't even begin to express what an honour it was to receive the torch and how excited I am to have the Prince George 2015 Canada Winter Games taking place in my home region. Northern B.C. is a thriving, vibrant part of our province with so much opportunity and it's a great place to live. We can't wait to welcome Canada in 2015!"

Anthony Everett, chair, 2015 Prince George Canada Winter Games Host Society -

"We are extremely honoured to accept the Roly McLenahan torch and welcome the nation to our province in 2015. The Sherbrooke Organizing Committee has been exceptionally generous in allowing us to observe the games."

"Through this experience and through our strong partnerships, we are certain that we can deliver a Canada Games that will be truly magical for our region."

Quick Facts:

• Team BC sent 360 athletes, 70 coaches and 20 mission staff to the Sherbrooke 2013 Canada Summer Games.
• Over 50 communities are represented by Team BC.
• BC Games alumni comprised 40 per cent of the delegation.
• Over 3,400 athletes, coaches, staff and officials will participate in the Prince George 2015 Canada Winter Games from over 800 Canadian communities.

Learn More:

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

Team BC: http://teambc.org

Contact:

Communications
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250-387-4089