Mr. Speaker, with only three days until the opening ceremonies of the B.C. Winter Games, get ready for the snow to fly. The city of Quesnel is proud to host the year 2000 winter games.
British Columbia is known for its winters and especially for its winter sports. Many athletes who have honed their skills at the B.C. Winter Games go on to represent their province at the Canada Winter Games. More than 2,000 athletes from across B.C. will compete in over 20 events.
I commend the more than 1,600 volunteers busily preparing the food, accommodation, transportation and security arrangements necessary to welcome athletes, coaches, parents and chaperones to Quesnel and to what surely will be one of the best winter games ever.
I am pleased to be attending the games. I am particularly proud to participate in the opening ceremonies and to bring greetings and best wishes from all of Canada. We congratulate the people of Quesnel, British Columbia, and all the athletes and volunteers for the months and years of preparation, and now this festival of competition and camaraderie. The spirit lives on.