The 2017 Telus Cup, Canada’s National Midget Hockey Championship, is scoring big, thanks to an investment of $55,000 announced today by Shirley Bond, MLA for Prince George-Valemount and Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour.

The Telus Cup, which will be held in Prince George April 24-30, 2017, is a week-long competition featuring the home town’s Cariboo Cougars and five regional winning teams (Pacific, West, Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic). The gold-medal game in the competition will be broadcast nationally on TSN.

Today’s investment by the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour’s Tourism Events Program complements the $30,000 already provided to the tournament through the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development’s Major Events Program.

The Tourism Events Program supports events that raise awareness nationally and internationally of British Columbia’s tourism experiences and motivates Canadians and people from other countries to travel and experience British Columbia. These events generate tourism and economic activity in communities and regions throughout the province.

The 2017 Telus Cup will help to build northern B.C.’s reputation for excellence in sport hosting. It is one part of a growing tourism sector that supports approximately 19,000 businesses and 127,500 employees in B.C.

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Quotes:

Shirley Bond, MLA for Prince George-Valemount; Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour –

"As a long-time hockey fan, I am very proud that the Cariboo Cougars will be the host team for the 2017 Telus Cup championship to be held here in Prince George. My family and I can't wait to cheer them on as they compete with the best young hockey players in the country. As we saw with the Canada Winter Games in 2015, our city has an exceptional reputation for hosting world-class sporting events that also create economic benefits for our community."

Mike Morris, MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie –

“What a treat for Prince George and region to host such an amazing event! The 2017 Telus Cup will provide thrilling hockey, which will be seen right across Canada. The provincial funding is money well spent and will help raise the profile of Prince George.”

John Morrison and Shawn Rice, co-chairs, 2017 Telus Cup – 

"As proud hosts of such a prestigious hockey event, it is our goal to showcase our ability to make these national major midget championships the best ever. We would like to thank the Province of British Columbia, and the Tourism Events Program for their support in further establishing this legacy for all of northern British Columbia."

(flickr.com)

Quick Facts:

• The Province invests more than $98 million annually in the tourism industry across every region to grow and market the sector.
• In 2015, 4.9 million international visitors came to B.C. – about an 8% increase compared to 2014.
• In 2014, the tourism industry generated $14.6 billion in revenue with a direct contribution to B.C.’s gross domestic product of $7.1 billion.

Learn More:

BC Jobs Plan: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/economy/tourism/

2017 Telus Cup:
http://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/National-Championships/Men/National-Midget/2017

Tourism Events Program:
http://www.destinationbc.ca/BC-Tourism-Industry/Municipal-and-Regional-District-Tax-Program/Tourism-Events-Program.aspx