June 22, 2009 (4:15 p.m. EDT)
No. 171

Minister Day Marks International Olympic Day from Russia

The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, led a trade mission to Moscow and Sochi, Russia, to create new business opportunities between Canada and Russia.

“Marking International Olympic Day in the country that will host the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games is a great opportunity to demonstrate the power of collaboration on a worldwide scale,” said Minister Day. “Canada has pioneered green design, low-emission technologies and world-class fuel cell technology in its Olympic venues and transportation plans. We look forward to showcasing Canadian technology and expertise to Russian officials as they seek business partnerships and experts to design and build their Olympic facilities.”

Minister Day is in Russia as part of an infrastructure and services trade mission to promote two-way trade and investment. Minister Day will also take part in the opening of SNC-Lavalin’s new office in Sochi, where he will witness the signing of that company’s agreement with Russian Railways to oversee a road and railway expansion for the 2014 Games.

“We are taking every opportunity to showcase Canadian commercial capabilities and to highlight our many business advantages in the lead-up to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games,” added the Minister. “From Canada’s enduring financial strength and stability, its world-class research institutions, universities and science and technology facilities, to its millions of highly educated workers, Canada offers the best place to live and do business in the G8.”

In less than a year, Canada will welcome the world to its doorstep for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. These will take place on February 12-28 and March 12-21, 2010, respectively.

The Government of Canada is using the opportunity of the 2010 Winter Games to promote Canada as a destination for foreign direct investment and to enhance Canada’s image as a modern, innovative business partner of choice around the world. In its campaign “2010 Reasons to Do Business in Canada,” the government is reaching out to global business leaders, investors and media outlets to tell Canada’s commercial story. The benefits to Canada in terms of contacts, international awareness, partnering and investment will be an enduring economic legacy of the 2010 Winter Games.

Celebrated each year on June 23, International Olympic Day commemorates the founding of the International Olympic Committee in Paris on June 23, 1894, and serves to contribute to the dissemination of the values and fundamental principles of Olympism around the world. This year, the theme of Olympic Day is “Move, Learn and Discover.”

Learn more about the “2010 Reasons to Do Business in Canada” campaign.

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For further information, media representatives may contact:

Mélisa Leclerc
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway
613-992-6186

Trade Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-996-2000
www.international.gc.ca