Province Supporting Amateur Sport, Strengthening the Local Economy
Ontario is pleased to announce that the Canada Games Council has selected Niagara Region to host the 2021 Canada Summer Games.
In August 2021, Niagara Region will welcome approximately 4,600 athletes from across Canada to compete in 17 sports over the course of two weeks.
The province is supporting Niagara Region to help plan and deliver the Games through the Games Ontario program.
The Canada Summer Games were established as a legacy of the 1967 centennial and are the country’s largest multi-sport event for youth. By supporting these Games, the province is providing opportunities for Ontario’s amateur athletes to gain the elite competition experience they need to excel on the world stage.
High-profile sport events like the Canada Summer Games also generate significant economic activity for the host community and help build strong and capable local volunteers.
Hosting athletic competitions and investing in the development of amateur athletes is part of the government’s plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
Quick Facts
- The province will provide $10.35 million to the community over five years through the Games Ontario program, with a matching contribution from the federal government.
- Other communities that bid to host the Games include: City of Ottawa, City of Greater Sudbury, and Kitchener/Waterloo region.
- In 2014, 8.1 million people visited Ontario to attend a sporting event or participate in sports or a sport activity, spending $2.3 billion in the province.
- In 2016-17, the Games Ontario sport hosting program is projected to contribute $5.2 million to the GDP.
- This is the third time an Ontario community will host the Canada Summer Games. Thunder Bay hosted the Summer Games in 1981 and London hosted them in 2001. Ontario has not hosted a Canada Winter Games.
- Through the Quest for Gold program, Ontario helps over 1,200 athletes every year continue their pursuit of excellence and encourages them to live and train in Ontario.
- The Canada Games have a significant economic impact on their host community. The 2015 Canada Winter Games generated $123 million for Prince George, B.C., while the 2013 Canada Summer Games brought in $165 million for Sherbrooke, Quebec.
Leave a Reply