MP Costas Menegakis welcomes the Toronto 2015 Pan Am American Games Torch Relay to Richmond Hill

MP Costas Menegakis welcomes the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games Torch Relay to Richmond Hill

(Richmond Hill, Ontario) – Richmond Hill MP Costas Menegakis is pleased to welcome the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games Torch Relay today in Richmond Hill. The Torch Relay community celebration will take place at Richmond Green Park from 5:30 pm to 8 pm with the flame arrival and cauldron lighting taking place at approximately 7 pm.

“I am thrilled that we are welcoming the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games Torch Relay to our community” said MP Menegakis. “As the flame approaches its final destination, I am pleased to share in the enthusiasm and pride that the Torch Relay inspires in everyone here in Richmond Hill. Today’s celebration shines a light on our talented artistic and cultural community while instilling pride in our country’s success as a leading sport nation, especially during the Year of Sport in Canada.”
The Government of Canada, through the Toronto 2015 Pan & Parapan American Games – Community Celebrations Fund, provided $10,000 to the Town of Richmond Hill in support of a major celebration, allowing residents to experience and celebrate the Pan Am Games through local artistic and cultural expressions during the Torch Relay.
Quick Facts

 *  The Pan Am Torch Relay started with a flame-lighting ceremony in Teotihuacán, Mexico, on May 28.
 *  The flame began its Canadian tour on May 30 in Toronto and will make its final stop on July 10 at the Opening Ceremony of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games after travelling through more than 130 communities in Ontario, as well as five stops outside the province (Halifax, Montréal, Richmond, Calgary and Winnipeg).
 *  The relay involves over 3,000 torchbearers. The majority of them were chosen through a public contest; the others were selected by sponsors and Games stakeholders, including the communities the torch relay passes through.
 *  The relay is an opportunity for all Canadians to celebrate sport and our athletes during the Year of Sport in Canada. Our Government believes in the power of sport to improve the life of Canadians and to build strong, healthy communities. We hope to increase participation in sports by doubling the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit and investing in programs like Canadian Tire Jumpstart. This will ensure that Canada maintains its reputation as a leading sport nation.
 *  Economic Action Plan 2014 confirmed the Government of Canada’s support of up to $500 million for the Games. This investment is allocated for sport infrastructure projects, legacy initiatives, a federal cultural strategy, preparation of Canadian teams and essential federal services that support the overall staging, safety and security of the Games.
 *  Hosting major sporting events such as the Toronto 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games will help generate significant benefits through activities, ranging from construction to tourism, that have an impact on the local and regional economy. These events support job creation and growth for Canadian businesses and entrepreneurs before, during and after the events.
 *  The Toronto Pan Am and Parapan Am Games are among many key sport events taking place in Canada in 2015 during the Year of Sport in Canada.

Costas Menegakis is the Member of Parliament for Richmond Hill and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. He can be contacted by phone at 905-770-4440 or through his website at www.costasmenegakis.ca.