Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Good morning, everybody. It's a pleasure to appear before you this morning and to offer unequivocal support for Bill C-47, on behalf of Own the Podium 2010.
In my prior experience as president of the Canadian Olympic Committee and as a leader of the 1988 Olympic Winter Games, I understand the importance of official Olympic sponsors contributing to the games. I'm also very much aware of the need to ensure that the value of these sponsorships, namely the exclusivity of association with the Olympic brand, is adequately protected.
This understanding has only deepened in my current role as chief executive officer of Own the Podium 2010. Launched in January 2005, Own the Podium is a national collaborative initiative, supported by all 13 of the winter sports in Canada, both Olympic and Paralympic, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Government of Canada, and several corporate sponsors.
There will be 80 countries participating in the Olympic Games in Vancouver and the Paralympic Games. Own the Podium 2010's goal is ambitious but obtainable: to win the greatest number of medals of any country in the world at the Olympic Winter Games, and to finish third at the Paralympic Winter Games.
Own the Podium 2010 partners believe that we can make this goal a reality. Together they have committed $110 million over five years to support the national sports organizations and their athletes. Of our total funding, half—or $55 million—comes from the Government of Canada, and $5 million comes from the Government of British Columbia. The remaining $50 million comes from the VANOC corporate sponsors, including corporations such as Bell Canada, General Motors, Hudson's Bay Company, McDonald's, Petro-Canada, RONA, and the RBC Financial Group.
Make no mistake, these organizations were not contractually obligated to support Own the Podium 2010, and thus Canada's Olympic and Paralympic athletes, as part of their agreements with VANOC. Instead, they did so voluntarily to help Canada's athletes succeed during our games.
With this in mind, I respectfully submit to the committee that Bill C-47 will serve Canadian sports extremely well. In protecting the investment made by Olympic and Paralympic sponsors, Bill C-47 will encourage ongoing support and new partnerships between Canadian sports and the private sector. Indeed, without the protection of Bill C-47, the interest of the corporate sponsors to generate funding for Canadian athletes is dramatically reduced, and our Canadian goals will certainly not be met.
For the 2010 winter games to be successful in the eyes of Canadians, our athletes must be adequately supported to rise to their full potential and be able to win at home. Through their generosity, our corporate sponsors have demonstrated their commitment to this end. In return, they deserve nothing short of the protection that Bill C-47 provides.
Thank you.