Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff again reiterated his full support for the Own the Podium program after Prime Minister Stephen Harper yesterday refused to reverse his government’s ill-advised decision to cut its funding.
“Canada’s athletes had a remarkable Olympics, leading the way with more gold than any country ever,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “After the success we’ve had, Canadians agree that Own the Podium was a good investment. We want our country’s best athletes – who’ve made us so proud over the last two weeks – to inspire young Canadians in every corner of this country, on every local ski hill and in every neighbourhood arena.”
Mr. Ignatieff yesterday repeated the Liberal commitment to maintain Own the Podium’s funding with $22 million in long-term, predictable federal support after the Harper government announced it will only continue with $11 million for two years, leaving an $11 million shortfall and uncertainty going forward.
“As Liberals, we’re proud of our role in developing this program, and we support its continuation,” said Mr. Ignatieff. “Not only do we want to keep the best sporting expertise in Canada, but our investment in the top of the pyramid of our sporting activity is also an investment in the base. We can inspire even more young Canadians to ‘own the podium’ of the future and widen sporting participation, improving the health of our children in the process.”
Own the Podium was originally launched in 2005 under a Liberal government, with the support of Canada’s 13 winter national sport organizations, Sport Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the Vancouver Organizing Committee.
Liberal Critic for Amateur Sport and the Vancouver Olympics Joyce Murray also took Mr. Harper to task for attempting to take credit for the Own the Podium program.
“The Prime Minister is content to capitalize on the high that Canadians are feeling towards the Olympic Games and our athletes with countless photo-ops,” said Ms. Murray. “But when it comes to supporting our athletes, he’s all too eager to take credit for Own the Podium while cutting its funding.”