Globe and Mail: Ottawa aims to put its stamp on 2010 Games

[tuvor]

Vancouver opening ceremony must help Harper government 'achieve its domestic and international branding goals,' memo says



ROBERT MATAS

With reports from Marsha Lederman and David Hutton

August 22, 2008

VANCOUVER -- The Harper government says the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony must reflect its agenda as the price of its $20-million commitment to the event, an internal government briefing memo says.

The memo, marked secret and released under an access-to-information request, describes the role of the Canadian government in wording that appears to mix politics and sports, despite widespread criticism of China for politicizing the Beijing Olympics.

"The Minister has recently confirmed with VANOC in writing that the Department of Canadian Heritage intends to invest $20-million toward the opening ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games in order to ensure that the event adequately reflects the priorities of the Government and helps to achieve its domestic and international branding goals," the memo says.

"The 2010 Federal Secretariat will be leading the effort to ensure that all of the conditions associated with the investment are incorporated into the contribution agreement. These conditions will ensure that the department has appropriate input and oversight into VANOC's ceremony planning."

...

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080822.OLYVANOC22/TPStory/National

[CHIMO]

1. And Response Is

Bluster and baffle gab.

TORY ON OLYMPICS / FTR: NEW CHINA

As we saw in Beijing two weeks ago, the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games are a big party. And apparently, if the federal government gets its way, the opening of the Vancouver Olympics will be about a big party. The Conservative Party.

In a secret federal memo released to the Globe and Mail, the Harper government says it will give twenty million dollars to the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee, known as VANOC, for the opening ceremony, as long as the ceremony reflects the agenda of government.

Conservative MP James Moore is the Secretary of State for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
http://www.cbc.ca/mrl3/8752/asithappens/20080822-aih-1.wmv

Starts at 10:28

http://www.cbc.ca/radioshows/AS_IT_HAPPENS/20080822.shtml