QUESTION PERIOD — Canadian Heritage
Play On! Street Hockey Championships
December 7, 2023
Senator Gold, I want to lighten things up a little.
Play On! is Canada’s largest street hockey festival. Inaugurated in 2003 and relaunched in 2022, the organization hopes to host another round of events in communities across the country next year for its twentieth anniversary. More than 2 million Canadians have participated in Play On! activities in over 40 communities over the past two decades. Play On! needs the financial support of the federal government before the end of the year to ensure it can host next year’s edition.
Many municipalities and provinces have already made funding commitments. Senator Gold, can you assure us that your government will give serious consideration to funding this important initiative? Let’s ensure that Canadians can all “come together, right now,” and Play On!
Thank you for your question.
I can assure you, senator and colleagues, that the government understands the popularity of this particular event, which is well understood across the country, and that this event serves a diverse range of communities.
My understanding is that the government already funded the planning of this program this past summer through its funding of 60 Canada Summer Jobs. I’ve also been informed that, pursuant to the mandate of Minister Qualtrough, the government will continue to work on this and other projects so as to align the programs of the government with the needs of Canada to ensure communities have access to and the opportunity to participate in such events.
Considering the urgency of the matter, I would urge Minister St-Onge to meet with the organizers as soon as possible.
Senator Gold, Canada hosted five Canada Cup international hockey tournaments between 1976 and 1991. The Canada Cup, the trophy itself, has not been awarded in over three decades. I think it’s time to dust off this national treasure and repurpose it as the top prize in Play On! Would the government be supportive of re-awarding the trophy to Play On!? Could you raise this possibility with Hockey Canada and Minister St-Onge?
With regard to the Canada Cup, my understanding is that Canadian Heritage has already reached out to Hockey Canada regarding its use. The cup is not the property of the government, as you would know, so I would encourage Play On! to also contact Hockey Canada directly. I understand Minister Qualtrough’s team has already been in contact with Mr. Hill from Play On! and has shared with him the contact information for Hockey Canada.
