The Canadian Paralympic Committee congratulates Federal Government for its continued commitment to sport for people with a disability

OTTAWA, March 30, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) applauds the recent 2012 Federal Budget for its continued commitment to helping people with a disability become physically active.

From playground to podium, federal government funding supports the Canadian Paralympic Committee's mandate to develop a stronger parasport system in communities across Canada, as well as ensuring our elite athletes receive the support they need to win medals at Paralympic Games.

"The Canadian Paralympic Committee wants to recognize the commitment by the Harper Government in yesterday's federal budget for Paralympic sport in Canada," states Henry Storgaard, CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. "We are grateful for the support of the federal government in our efforts to bring a healthier and more active lifestyle to Canadians with a disability. As well, this budget clearly demonstrates the strong investment by the Government of Canada in the Canadian Paralympic Team's quest for gold medals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, which are just five months away."

With the momentum created by the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games, the Paralympic Movement has grown substantially in Canada in recent years.

The CPC has been working closely with its partners to build a stronger sport system that aligns to the Long-Term Athlete Development model. The CPC has also been working to raise the awareness of Paralympic sport in Canada to recruit more athletes into parasport programs at the introductory level. And at the high performance level, the CPC has been investing in programs and services that will deliver an optimum environment for our athletes to succeed at the Paralympic Games.

It is with the support of our partners that the CPC will achieve its vision to be the world's leading Paralympic nation. A sincere thank you to all our supporters!

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee

The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a non-profit, private organization with 46 member sports organizations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic movement. The Canadian Paralympic Committee's vision is to be the world's leading Paralympic nation. Its mission is to lead the development of a sustainable Paralympic sport system in Canada to enable athletes to reach the podium at the Paralympic Games. By supporting Canadian Paralympic athletes and promoting their success, the Canadian Paralympic Committee inspires all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by its member organizations. For more information, visit www.paralympic.ca.

Alison Korn
Manager, Media Relations
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Tel: [phone] x243
Cell: 613-298-4927
[e-mail]

Mark Dottori
Director, Marketing and Communications
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Tel: [phone] ext. 242
Cell: 613-294-5961
[email protected]

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