You have in front of you a person who will be on your side, a team player who's ready to listen. Who's also prepared to act. I am delighted and honoured to be here in the same room with so many of Canada's top athletes. Because, to me, sport is at the heart of Canadian life. It's an activity that has benefits for each and every Canadian, for our communities and for our country.
Sport promotes physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health and well-being.
Sport develops character and teaches the rewards of discipline and perseverance. It is also a way for Canadians to get to know each other. So far, sport sounds like serious business. And that's one of the qualities I want to emphasize in our dialogue about the value of sport. We need to celebrate the joy of sport.