The following is a statement from Ian Troop CEO of the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games:

TORONTO, March 30, 2012 /CNW/ - In their respective budgets this week, the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada both announced significant restraint programs.

We at the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge and thank both governments for the restatement of their support for the Toronto 2015 Games in their budgets.

And we also reaffirm our commitment to deliver the Toronto 2015 Games within the fiscal parameters that the governments have given us.

Our commitment: on-budget Games that focus on the athletes, that engage the public, that celebrate our energy and diversity, that provide a lasting legacy and that make Ontario - and all of Canada - proud.

The current economic climate also makes the economic impact and infrastructure legacy of the Games more important than ever. The 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games will be one of the largest economic drivers in the province creating more than 15,000 jobs over the next three years. The investment in new and improved sport facilities will set a new standard in developing elite amateur athletes, attract future international-calibre competitions and provide much-needed community infrastructure to ensure healthy, active communities for our children. Further, the Pan/Parapan Athletes' Village will advance the implementation of the West Don Lands community and post-Games will be converted into a sustainable, mixed-use community.

About the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games

The Pan American Games are one of the world's largest international multi-sport events, held every four years for athletes of the 41 member nations of the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO). The Games comprise all Olympic Summer Games sports, as well as traditional Pan American sports. The Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games will draw 10,000 athletes and officials and feature 48 sports in municipalities across the Greater Golden Horseshoe area. The Toronto 2015 Pan American Games will take place July 10-26 and the Parapan American Games August 7-14. For more information about the Games, please visit toronto2015.org.

Elissa Freeman
Vice-President, Communications and Public Relations
TO2015
Tel: [phone]