Canadian Heritage Committee on June 7th, 2016

[Catherine Gosselin-Després]

In my opinion, the most important thing is to provide all the necessary information to our sports federations so they can determine what might distract their athletes. Each person reacts differently to any given scenario. We really want to be proactive to make sure the team leaders have the information and filter it by analyzing all the inherent issues, whether good or bad, so they can manage their athletes as effectively as possible. Filtering information, briefings, education, that is what we do. I think it's the best approach.

We have also done a lot of simulations with our athletes at the sites in Rio. That helps them understand the environment and how the city works. Yes, there will be traffic; yes, there are beaches and tourist attractions. Managing distractions is something we take very seriously. We are trying to determine what might distract our athletes or not, and to put proactive plans in place accordingly.

[Eric Myles]

We follow the same process as regards preparation. “Team work” is the term that comes to mind. We are talking about federations but there is a great deal of collaboration. Consider for instance Sport Canada and Own the Podium. These groups really support the federations and the athletes. The work that coaches do is important, to be sure, but in terms of preparation, the whole support team around the athletes is also crucial.

For Rio, and for the majority of Games, about five years of preparation goes into site familiarization or preparatory visits. For most sports, the athletes went to Rio for a preparatory stage. The preparation for the Games is minute by minute. So the athletes have a very precise view.

As to political or international issues, our athletes are special individuals who are very focused on their task, so our role is to make sure the environment is as safe as possible to support their performance. Athletes are used to those kinds of realities. They travel year after year. Getting to the Olympics takes about 12 years of an athlete's life. It is really the aggregate of all those experiences.

Finally, I would like to point out that not a single Canadian athlete has said that they will not go to Rio because of the situation there.

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

We have read in particular that ticket sales to sports events have not been fantastic so far. I don't know if that is the case for both Games.

Could that have an impact on the quality of the reception and services that will be provided to you?

[Eric Myles]

I'm sorry, I didn't understand the beginning of your question.

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

The news is not great as regards ticket sales to attend the various sports events.

[Eric Myles]

Honestly, we are not worried about that. Different games will have different circumstances. Look at the 2015 Pan American Games, which were held in Toronto. In my view, that's the best example we have, closer to home. The same things were said before those games were held and certain concerns were raised. However, as you all know, they were an unbelievable.success.

I wouldn't describe the situation as worrisome. Moreover, we have the complete support of the organizing committee, with whom we are working closely. There are Canadians who work within the organization. It's a strong international movement. In short, there's nothing to worry about on that level.

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Wouldn't the potential appointment of Tricia Smith to the International Olympic Committee provide additional motivation and be a source of pride for our athletes, given that she, herself, is an athlete?

[Eric Myles]

That's a good question.

Our president represents not only the athletes, but also everyone: staff, all of our leaders, and people who believe in the Olympic movement. We need more people like her in Canada, and internationally as well. Given everything that's going on right now, we can see the key role Ms. Smith is already playing, and it's attributable not only to her appointment as president, but also to the experience she has acquired over the years. She had already been quite involved in rowing internationally.

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

That brings me to the question that's bothering a lot of people. I'm not expecting an answer today. There are some subjects that are better dealt with later.

Ms. Smith arrives with a breath of fresh air in terms of motivation. I hope that in the fall, after the games, the Canadian Olympic Committee will be able to do a post-mortem of the scandal that rocked it.

As you so eloquently put it, athletes are used to facing big challenges and planning for the long term. Mr. Brassard, who is certainly one of the best ambassadors out of all sports figures, threw in the towel, saying it was best that he leave. That really bothered people. I think someone needs to explain to us why this guy decided to deal with this on his own. He left with his troubling questions all wound up in a ball, saying it was best that he leave, that he would not speak just yet, and that he'd let his sports colleagues do their work.

We expect the Canadian Olympic Committee to give us a clear answer, although not right away. I think it's important not to distract people before their performance.

My question is for representatives of the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

You purchased the rights. Have the Paralympic organizations of all the other countries purchased the rights to sell to broadcasters?

[Martin Richard]

No, this is very unique to Canada. We like to say that we're innovating with respect to this strategy.

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Good for you!

[Martin Richard]

We hope that other countries that may not necessarily have high ratings will look at our model. We are always ready to share our ideas with them.

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

That's absolutely fantastic.

I heard talk of Para flip-flops. I imagine that everyone will want to participate in the process I would also like to thank The Bay for doing this.

Is the situation still the same? Is there less interest from advertisers or for marketing the Paralympic Games?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Mr. Nantel, I'm sorry; we'll have to cut you off there. Thanks.

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Next is Mr. Vandal of the Liberals.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

I would like to thank you very much for your presentation.

My questions were going to be around the Zika virus. Mr. Kitchen has asked several of them, and you've given us the general advice that based on the best information from your public health professionals and your doctors, our athletes will be safe.

As one follow-up question, can you give us specific examples of what sort of counsel or advice you're giving our athletes to mitigate the risk to them and their loved ones when they go home? Can you give us just a few specifics?

[Catherine Gosselin-Després]

Thank you.

Basically, we have a number of ways by which to mitigate the risk, such as wearing bug spray, mosquito repellent, on an ongoing basis. Also, basically we indicate to them that if they're uncomfortable, they should wear long sleeves and long pants. It's those kinds of things.

We're also making sure with the organizing committee that there's going to be air conditioning within the village. We're trying to ensure that windows are not open and are really reinforcing some of those messages. As well, obviously we want each of them understand with their own team doctor what they're getting into, and we have our chief medical officer working with each of the team doctors to highlight some of those risks and ways of mitigating any area that may make them uncomfortable.

[Christopher Overholt]

I would only add that of course the organizing committee takes the first responsibility. All of us have heard first-hand about some of the mitigating steps that the organizing committee has taken on the ground. There's been lots of spraying and work done around the venues and so on that they're managing.

Otherwise our instructions quite literally to our athletes, coaches, and all of our mission team members is generally preventive in its orientation. We have many opportunities to intersect with them in that regard. We hold seminars for our athletes and coaches. In recent weeks we had our team orientation preparation seminar, which involved most of our mission team members. In these we have the chance to brief them on all matters of games operations, including security, health, and safety. We have team orientation sessions that we undertake before the team goes, and then again orientation sessions once they arrive in Rio.

All of those are opportunities to give them quite literal instruction about preventive measures. Then, of course, we lean on the World Health Organization and the other bodies that are advising Brazil on preventive measures for those who might be prepared to take families or for those who attend and are perhaps preparing for families after Rio. They are quite direct and literal instructions around family planning, which we consider, of course, and advise our athletes and mission team members on.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

Completely switching gears, I understand that the CBC is the official broadcaster of the Olympics.

[Christopher Overholt]

Yes, sir.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

One of the unique aspects of the 2010 games in Vancouver was a partnership between—I forget who was the official broadcaster—and Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. I thought it was a fantastic way to reach young indigenous potential athletes.

Was that considered this time around, or would it be considered in the future?

[Christopher Overholt]

I can't speak to CBC's plans as it relates to the aboriginal community, sir. I'm sorry, but I'm not familiar.

[Martin Richard]

As far as the Paralympics go, I will take that as a very good idea to follow up on. Obviously our consortium is growing. We have more and more partners coming to the table, and it is a unique opportunity for us to explore to bring further hours of coverage to Canadians.

[Dan Vandal, Liberal, Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB]

Thank you very much.

Mr. Samson, is there anything you would like to add?