By partnering with the Sport’Aide organization, the Canada Games, which will take place in Quebec from February 26 to March 15, 2027, will ensure young athletes competing in 21 disciplines can live out their passion for sport in complete safety, promises the organization.
In recent years, numerous stories of physical or verbal violence affecting athletes or involving parents and coaches have hit the headlines.
“We hear terrible stories in the media. There is unacceptable behavior. Sport’Aide has developed approaches that allow our young people to practice their sport with complete confidence and that ensure that we are responsible as adults,” mentioned Denis Servais, president of the 2027 Canada Games host society.
Denis Servais, president of the 2027 Canada Games host society.
Stevens LeBlanc/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
“It was important to send a clear message that the Canada Games will be inclusive and positive Games. It will be zero tolerance,” added Jean-François Gosselin, responsible for the Canada Games on the executive committee of the City of Quebec.
Trustmark
The general director of Sport’Aide, Sylvain Croteau, assures that he still feels a lot of problems on the ground linked to performance anxiety, among others, and is delighted to be involved in the process.
“It’s a mark of confidence. We will ensure an on-site presence with our speakers available at all times. We are going to have a major poster campaign. We will provide training, meet volunteers and people involved in the organization so that they are equipped to recognize situations,” he suggested.
Safety on slopes?
The organization, in addition to announcing this partnership, also took the opportunity to talk about its values (pleasure, pride, collaboration, integrity) and its brand image.
It was at the same time the opportunity to answer other questions, such as those surrounding the holding of alpine skiing events at Mont Sainte-Anne, despite all the problems that the RCR company experienced with the management of amenities like gondolas and artificial snowmaking.
“As we speak, there is no yellow or red light on the dashboard. We are in contact with RCR. Our responsibility is that the track is safe. Everything relating to snow cover or cabin safety is the responsibility of RCR.
“If it is not green, we will have a plan B that I will keep for myself for the moment,” said Mr. Servais, specifying that responsibilities agreement protocols would be signed in February, March or april.
Mayor defends curling
Stevens LeBlanc/JOURNAL DE QUEBEC
Present at the press conference, the mayor of Quebec Bruno Marchand once again expressed his enthusiasm for the holding of the 2027 Canada Games, with the aim of making Quebec “the most active city in Canada”.
He once again defended the city’s investment in a state-of-the-art curling center worth $39.5 million, which will be used in particular for competitions during the event.
“The curling center was the only infrastructure we lacked in the region. We were criticized by some people. Some people even said it was just for old people. Do you know what? We accept it and we would do it again. We will go until the end,” he reiterated.
According to Mr. Marchand, the Canada Games will generate economic spinoffs of $115 million.
