Bal Gosal

[2014 Winter Olympics, December 10th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, our government is proud to be the single largest contributor to sport in our country. In fact, our winter athletes have benefited from a 112% increase in funding from the previous Liberal government.

This support has allowed Canada to emerge as a leading sport nation and provide our athletes with cutting-edge science and research, a world-class training environment and the best coaching in the world. The 2014 Sochi winter games is an occasion to come together as Canadians to support our athletes in their pursuit of excellence. I call on all members to say “Go, Canada, go”.

[First Nations Elections Act, December 10th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, it is very important to provide first nations with the option of holding their elections. They have been asking for this.

The member for St. Paul's stated in her remarks that the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs no longer supported the bill. I want to state for the record that the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, under the leadership of former grand chief Ron Evans, was instrumental in the development of the first nations elections act. Mr. Evans recently appeared before the steering committee on aboriginal affairs and northern development where he reiterated his support for the bill.

Is the member for St. Paul's suggesting that we should only be listening to the current grand chief and forget about all those first nations that have called for this legislation?

[Sport, June 11th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, we believe that amateur sports like soccer should encourage the participation of children rather than exclude them.

We see no valid reason that kids should be banned from playing soccer because of their religion.

I encourage Quebec Soccer Federation to follow the lead of soccer leagues across Canada and the Canadian Soccer Association, and not create barriers for children who want to play sports they love.

[Human Rights, June 4th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. member for a great question.

We believe that amateur sports like soccer should encourage the participation of children rather than exclude them. We see no valid reason why kids should be banned from playing soccer because of their religion.

I encourage the Quebec Soccer Federation to follow the lead of soccer leagues across Canada and around the world and not create barriers for children who want to play the sport they love.

Furthermore, the leader of the NDP and the leader of the Liberal Party should be ashamed of their silence on this matter.

[Sport, February 13th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, many people were shocked by this decision, including Wrestling Canada's president Don Ryan, who was “deeply surprised by the recent recommendation”. The Canadian Olympic Committee says it is disappointing to potentially lose this important sport from the Canadian Olympic games roster in 2020, and Olympic medallist Carol Huynh says it is hard to think of the Olympic games without wrestling.

It is regrettable and disappointing to potentially lose this important sport from the Olympic program in 2020. However, our government will continue to support our wrestlers through our record level funding to amateur athletics as they prepare for the important upcoming events.

[Sport, February 7th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, thanks to the leadership of our Prime Minister, I am confident our athletes will make Canadians proud at the Sochi 2014 winter games.

In 2013, Canadians have much to celebrate already. Last Friday the Minister of Industry and I were happy to light the 2013 Canada Summer Games torch before it makes its way to Sherbrooke, Quebec. I am proud to say our Special Olympians set a new record, winning 44 gold, 44 silver and 21 bronze medals at the World Winter Games. Those are the jobs of which we are proud.

[Sport, December 12th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, we want all of our athletes to succeed at the world level.

These decisions are best left with the national sports organizations, because they are responsible for preparing athletes for competition. Our government is proud to support our national sports organizations at a record funding level.

[Sport, December 11th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, we want our athletes to succeed at the world level. These decisions are best left in the hands of national sports organizations that are responsible for preparing our athletes for competition. Our government is proud to support our national sports organizations at record level funding.

[Sport, December 10th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, finally, here is a nice question from the member for Barrie.

Our government is working hard to get families and children physically active. Today, I was pleased to announce continued record level funding for ParticipACTION, as committed to in economic action plan 2012.

Kelly Murumets, CEO of ParticipACTION, stated:

We are delighted with the Government of Canada’s commitment to ParticipACTION and we applaud their support for the promotion of physical activity and healthy living.

[Sport, September 25th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, despite the opinion of the opposition, our government's support towards increasing physical activity among Canadians is welcomed and working.

As stated by Kelly Murumets, CEO of ParticipACTION, “We are delighted with the Government of Canada's commitment to ParticipACTION and we applaud their support for the promotion of physical activity and healthy living”.

For example, sport in Canada saw 900,000 Canadians taking part in sport and recreation events in 425 different communities across the country.