The Government of Canada and the Province of Alberta are the largest financial supporters of WorldSkills Calgary 2009.

The City of Calgary has pledged important in-kind support to WorldSkills Calgary 2009, including free transportation for competitors and delegates while they are here for the competition. In addition, Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier serves as the honourary chair of the WorldSkills Calgary 2009 Board of Directors.

WorldSkills 2009 Calgary Announcement

Calgary, Alberta
May 26, 2008

Thank you, Len and good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

Albertans are extremely proud that we will be hosting WorldSkills 2009 here in our province.

This event will showcase the best and brightest young people in the trades and technology sectors.

It will also increase the profile of the challenging and rewarding careers these sectors offer.

I would like to thank the many, many volunteers and sponsors who are supporting this event…

…the entire WorldSkills 2009 organizing team…

…and the City of Calgary, which always rolls out the welcome mat in a big way when visitors come to town.

I'm pleased to be able to tell you today that the Alberta Government will be doing its part.

We're investing $24 million to help make WorldSkills 2009 the best ever.

Our contribution will cover:

• planning and hosting costs of the competition;
• the purchase of equipment that will be used during the competition, and afterwards distributed to secondary and post-secondary schools as a legacy of WorldSkills 2009; and
• an apprenticeship and education awareness program.

I would note that our government is the largest funding partner in this venture.

We see WorldSkills 2009 as an investment that will showcase the high quality of our training in trades and technology-related occupations…

…and the value of trades and technology-related occupations to our society and economy.

Albertans know that skilled workers are the key to growing and diversifying our economy.

I hope that by highlighting the value and the achievements of some of our most skilled young people, the WorldSkills competition will attract more people to these fields.

I have asked Manmeet Bhullar, the MLA for Calgary-Montrose and the Parliamentary Assistant for Advanced Education and Technology, to serve on the WorldSkills 2009 Board of Directors.

He joins Len Webber, the MLA for Calgary - Montrose, who has served on the WorldSkills board since 2006.

I know Manmeet and Len and their colleagues will do a great job as they move forward with planning this important event.

I also want to take this opportunity to send my best wishes to all the competitors over at the 2008 National Skills Competition.

After we're done here, we'll be dropping in to see how they're doing at the Round Up Centre.

The results of that competition will determine who will compete for Canada at WorldSkills 2009.

I know that whoever makes the team will represent our nation with pride and honour.

And I know they'll be part of a world-class event that will do all Albertans proud.

Thank you.