MONTREAL
,
Nov. 12
/CNW Telbec/ -
Raymond Garneau
, former
Quebec
finance minister, has accepted RBC's invitation to be a 2010 Olympic Torchbearer when the Olympic Flame comes to Candiac on
December 8, 2009
.
"I'm delighted to be given the opportunity to carry the torch, because I was closely involved with the financing of the 1976
Montreal
Olympic Games when I was Quebec's finance minister,"
Mr. Garneau
explained. "It's a great personal honour that reminds me of the unique experience we've been through, 33 years ago."
Many of the 2010 Olympic Torchbearers, notably in the
Montreal
area, have been selected by RBC following a contest held earlier this year. The lucky winners were selected on the strength of their community involvement, such as their work in protecting the environment or with a charitable organization.
Mr. Garneau
has worked as volunteer president of the
Montreal
Cancer Institute (ICM) for the past six years. ICM is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help fund cancer research and provide scholarships to pave the way for up-and-coming researchers in this field. In 2007,
Mr. Garneau
launched a benefit concert series, called "Concerts Against Cancer," which has helped finance a new program to combat the brain drain.
"I will be pleased to donate the Olympic Torch I will carry on
December 8
to the ICM so that it may be sold at the silent auction following the 'Concert Against Cancer' event at Place des Arts on
February 5
, 2010," added
Mr. Garneau
.
The Olympic Flame will make its journey across
Quebec
, primarily between
November 29
and
December 12, 2009
.
Approximately 12,000 Canadians will carry the flame across the country with millions more cheering and supporting them. The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay began its journey to
Vancouver
on
October 30, 2009
, when the flame arrived in British Columbia following a traditional lighting ceremony in
Greece
. The Olympic Flame then embarked on its journey from coast to coast through every province and territory in
Canada
- spanning 45,000 kilometres and over 1,000 communities over the course of 106 days. It will end at B.C. Place on
February 12, 2010
, with the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron, signalling the start of the
Vancouver
2010 Olympic Winter Games.
As Canada's longest-standing supporter of the Canadian Olympic Team since 1947, RBC is a Premier National Partner of the
Vancouver
2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and proud to bring the Olympic Spirit to communities across
Canada
as presenting partner of the
Vancouver
2010 Olympic Torch Relay.
For further information: Raymond Chouinard, RBC, (514) 874-6556, [email protected]
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