Hon. Terry M. Mercer:

Honourable senators, beginning February 11, 2011, thousands of athletes, coaches, volunteers and spectators will gather in Halifax for the Canada Winter Games, the largest multi-sport competition for young athletes in Canada.

Much participation has gone into these games, including the building of new complexes and the upgrading of current infrastructure around the Halifax Regional Municipality, such as the $40-million-dollar Canada Games Centre. The governments of Canada, Nova Scotia and Halifax, along with the private sector and the Canada Games Council, have worked hard to prepare Halifax for what will be a memorable two weeks of competition and camaraderie.

Honourable senators, it is interesting to note that Halifax/ Dartmouth was host to the very first Canada Summer Games in 1969, which left behind such lasting memories as the Centennial Pool and Husky Stadium. I am sure this year's games will have just as strong an impact on the Halifax Regional Municipality.

In fact, one of the greatest venues is the speed skating oval, which is built on the North Common. The oval has already been available to thousands of skaters since December. The Halifax Regional Municipality website tells us the oval is the largest outdoor artificially-refrigerated ice surface east of Quebec City, with approximately 55,000 square feet of ice area, more than three full-sized NHL ice rinks. In fact, there has been a large push by the public that the oval become a permanent feature for Haligonians, Nova Scotians and visitors to enjoy in the future.

Halifax is already one of the most unique cities in Canada and at any time throughout the year one can enjoy music, fine food and a culture that stands apart from many other cities. I am sure the Canada Winter Games will provide a fantastic addition to an already vibrant city, including the oval. It certainly reveals the uniqueness of the City of Halifax and provides a venue to enjoy in the future.

Honourable senators, the mission of the Halifax 2011 Canada Games Host Society is:

To deliver an exceptional national sporting event that celebrates sport, engages community, and embraces diversity. The Games will support the dreams of athletes, thereby building national pride and creating lasting legacies.

I know these goals will be achieved.

I take this opportunity to congratulate the 2011 Games management team, board of directors, Games operations committee, sponsors and government support and the hundreds of volunteers on a job well done, and I wish all of the athletes and coaches good luck in their sports. I look forward to seeing first-hand the tremendous success of these 2011 Canada Winter Games.

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