Residents, families and businesses in Greater Sudbury will experience first-hand the benefits of hosting the 2019 Esso Cup, Canada's 11th annual national female midget championship, thanks in part to a $25,000 investment from the Government of Canada.

“Our government is laying the foundation for Canadians to become more competitive and succeed in the global economy. Today’s investment in support of this major sporting event is building on our competitive advantages by creating increased business opportunities to boost economic growth and create good, middle-class jobs for Canadians.”

- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Minister responsible for FedNor

“Sports tourism can be a major economic driver for our communities and the Government of Canada is proud to invest to help capitalize on opportunities offered by major events such as the Esso Cup National Female Midget Hockey Championship. The City of Greater Sudbury has a strong history of hosting successful, high-profile sporting events and this investment will help showcase what the city has to offer and help attract future events.”

- Paul Lefebvre, Member of Parliament for Sudbury

“I am proud that our government, through FedNor, is supporting growth in Northern Ontario’s tourism sector. By investing to promote events such as the Esso Cup, we are helping to promote Greater Sudbury as a premier tourism destination, creating new opportunities for local businesses and jobs for the people of Sudbury and Nickel Belt.”

- Marc Serré, Member of Parliament for Nickel Belt

“We would like to thank the Government of Canada and FedNor for their support. Greater Sudbury is a proud hockey community, and the host Sudbury Lady Wolves have certainly left their mark on the Esso Cup making back-to-back appearances in 2014 and 2015, taking home bronze and gold. Now not only do we get to host the event, the Host Committee along with the Ontario Women’s Hockey Association and the Sudbury & District Girls Hockey Association are going to help showcase Greater Sudbury to the nation and help drive even more visitors to our great community.”

- Mike McGaughey, Co-Chair of the 2019 Esso Cup host organizing committee

• Since 2016 and through successive budgets, the Government of Canada has earmarked an additional $62 million for FedNor in support of various initiatives to enable the organization to further strengthen Northern Ontario’s economy and create even more middle-class jobs for Canadians.

• The Prosperity and Growth Strategy for Northern Ontario outlines the Government of Canada’s approach to ensure the region can fully benefit from the national Innovation and Skills Plan. It is focused on three key economic development areas: supporting innovation; growing companies; and building stronger communities.

• The funding announced today is provided through FedNor’s Northern Ontario Development Program, which supports projects that promote sustainable community economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation.

Associated links

• To find out more about our programs and services, please visit: fednor.gc.ca.
• Follow us on Twitter: @FedNor.
• Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on Twitter: @ISED_CA.

Barclay Babcock
Communications Officer
FedNor
705-690-0957
barclay.babcock@canada.ca