DAKOTA BRASIER, Minister’s Office of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.
The Ontario government is committing $3 million to support the Valour Games, a new, national multi-sport competition for wounded, ill and injured military personnel and veterans. This funding will build on the success of the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, by continuing to showcase the athletic skills and abilities of Canada’s wounded veterans.
Details were provided today by Premier Doug Ford and Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries.
“We owe our veterans and active service members a debt of gratitude for their service to our country,” said Premier Ford. “The Valour Games will provide another important opportunity for Ontarians to recognize the skills and excellence of our men and women in uniform, and unite our province and country at a time when it’s needed most.”
“Canadian service members and veterans face significant challenges when returning from deployment or transitioning to civilian life. Their recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration into their communities can be greatly enhanced through the transformative power of sport,” said Minister MacLeod. “The Valour Games will be a chance to support our veterans, showcase our pride of place, promote local tourism and increase participation in adaptive sports.”
Ottawa will host the inaugural Valour Games in 2022, welcoming more than 500 competitors, and family and friends, from across Canada, to compete in adaptive team and individual sports over the course of one week. These could include archery, indoor rowing, powerlifting, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis and wheelchair rugby.
Following the Ottawa event, the Valour Games will be hosted in a different Canadian city every two years.
“We are thankful to Premier Ford and Minister MacLeod for their support of the inaugural Canada’s Valour Games in 2022,” said Major-General (Ret’d) Lew Mackenzie, Member of the Board for Canada’s Valour Games. “Today’s announcement moves us closer to the realization of our mission to bring adaptive sport to thousands of our ill, injured and wounded servicemembers and veterans. Not only will the Games be a significant part of their rehabilitation, but they will provide an opportunity to recognize the sacrifices made by Canada’s military families and will remind us all how fortunate we are to be the beneficiaries of their service.”
The Valour Games is one way the Ontario government is continuing to work with the sport, tourism and hospitality sectors to support individuals and families as they reconnect and experience all their local communities have to offer.
“I have served my country with great pride and distinction over the past 19 years. My goal is to carry on that tradition and wear the Canadian flag once more, to inspire pride in others, and to prove that a disability does not define you,” said 2017 Invictus Games Team Canada athlete Master Corporal (Ret’d) Mike Trauner. “One inspires many, and I look forward to today’s announcement supporting many athletes at the inaugural Valour Games.”