Mr. Speaker, tomorrow I will be attending and speaking at a luncheon conference hosted by the sports Laval regional organizing committee and the Laval regional recreation and sports unit, as part of Quebec coaches week. Michel Larouche, a diving coach and one of the spokespersons for the week, will also attend.
While we do need to recognize the important contribution coaches make in the development of sports in Quebec and the quality of their work with athletes of all levels, we need to recognize above all the chronic lack of funding to enable them to continue their extraordinary work with young people.
The government must develop a real sports policy and establish goals for achievement on the national and international scene.
The hon. member for Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, a former chair of the international mountain bike committee, joins with me in wishing all our coaches the opportunity to continue sharing their passion for sport with young people in conditions that meet their needs—