Just came across this article from the East Coast. Our Foreign Affairs Minister not only loves the CFL and is a big fan, he expects the City of Halifax will win the Commonwealth Games bid in 07.
This will enable a stadium to be built and he also mentions how Halifax and Moncton will share in the team.
Calling same the Atlantic Schooners.
Now, this is even more reason for the Gades to straighten out and run in 06.
MacKay: Games bid in bag
Winning would mean a new stadium for Halifax, he says
By CHRIS LAMBIE Staff Reporter
Halifax will win the 2014 Commonwealth Games bid, Nova Scotia’s voice in the federal cabinet predicted Friday night.
"We’re going to win the Commonwealth (Games) bid," Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay told the Atlantic Mayors’ Congress at Halifax city hall.
The city is competing with Glasgow, Scotland, and Abuja, Nigeria, for the right to host the international sporting event.
Getting the Games would mean a new stadium for Halifax, Mr. MacKay said.
"Then we’re going to get a CFL franchise and it’s going to be shared between Moncton and Halifax," he said. "The Atlantic Schooners has a nice ring to it."
Describing himself as a "Commonwealth Games enthusiast," Mr. MacKay grinned when Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly offered to have the former rugby player fitted with a blazer bearing the logo for the local bid.
"We’ll make him part of the team," Mr. Kelly said in an interview after the minister’s speech.
"I think he was overwhelmingly optimistic to receive it."
There has been no public promise of federal money to support the Halifax bid.
"That’s an issue we still have to negotiate," Mr. Kelly said. "We haven’t got to that point yet. We have to finish our presentation and our package and our proposal and that’s not yet done. When that’s done, then we will approach the government."
In an interview, Mr. MacKay wouldn’t say how much the federal government is prepared to promise for the Games.
"We’re very committed to work with the province and the municipality of Halifax to see that we have a successful bid," he said.
"The process is ongoing. . . . I want to sit down as soon as possible with (Commonwealth Games committee CEO) Scott Logan."
The host site for the 2014 Games will be announced next year.
"We’ll be there with the federal funding and partnering with all of the levels of government that are supporting this bid," Mr. MacKay said. "It’s a wonderful opportunity, I think, for us to showcase the very best of Atlantic Canada."
Organizers are now saying the Games will cost $750 million to $785 million.
"We don’t know what the full price is just yet," Mr. MacKay said, noting Ottawa is supporting the bid process financially.
The federal government’s contribution will be "substantial," he said, pointing out that Ottawa had promised to pay about $300 million for Hamilton’s failed 2010 bid.
"So we’re not talking about a small amount of money," Mr. MacKay said.
"We have to be fiscally responsible as well. But if Halifax gets this bid, the federal government will be there in support. And we’ll be there to give our share and to see that the Games are a huge success."
’We have to be fiscally responsible as well. But if Halifax gets this bid, the federal government will be there in support. And we’ll be there to give our share and to see that the Games are a huge success.’