Question Period Note: 2021 Games of La Francophonie

After the Government of New Brunswick’s decision to withdraw from hosting the 2021 Games of La Francophonie, the International Organisation of La Francophonie decided to launch an expedited bid process to designate a new host. On October 30, 2019, the 2021 Games were officially awarded to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the only candidate that submitted a bid.

• Canada is an active member and second largest funder of the International Organisation of La Francophonie. Our Government is committed to working with member States and governments towards successful Games of La Francophonie in 2021.
• Canada’s participation in the Games of La Francophonie highlights our country’s linguistic duality, its commitment to the shared values of the Francophonie, such as gender equality, and its support for the development of young Canadian artists and athletes abroad.

• Canada is the second largest contributor to the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) and has played an active role in the creation and development of its institutions, including the establishment of the Games of La Francophonie, in 1987. Canada has participated in every edition of the Games and hosted the Games in 2001.
• The Games of La Francophonie are the only major international games that feature both sports and cultural competitions. A landmark event of La Francophonie, they bring together approximately 3,000 artists and athletes aged 18 to 35.
• Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is responsible for Canada’s participation in La Francophonie. However, since there is no franchise holder for the Games of La Francophonie (such as the Canadian Olympic Committee), the Department of Canadian Heritage (PCH) supports GAC by managing and coordinating Team Canada’s participation at the Games, including security and medical support for approximately 175 artists, athletes and coaches as well as their transportation.
• After a favourable opinion issued by the Permanent Council of La Francophonie, the Ministerial Conference of La Francophonie, on October 30, 2019, designated the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the host of the IXth Games of La Francophonie. The Games will be held from July 23 to
August 1st, 2021 in the capital city of Kinshasa. Canada should receive an invitation to register for the Games on January 31, 2020.
• Because of the current political and security contexts in the DRC, the Government of Canada will analyze the level of risk, namely in regards to health and security, to determine the appropriate level of participation at these Games.
• The bid process for the 2021 Games began in 2015, where for the first time two Canadian bids (Quebec and New Brunswick) for the same event moved forward internationally to the Comité international des Jeux de la Francophonie. On April 7, 2016, the Permanent Council of La Francophonie awarded the 2021 Games to the Government of New Brunswick.
• On March 30, 2018, the 2021 Moncton-Dieppe Organizing Committee submitted its Business Plan to funding parties which included a total budget of $130 million. Its bid submitted in 2015 included a budget of $19.5 million.
• On January 30, 2019, the newly elected Premier of New Brunswick announced that his Government withdraws from hosting the Games due to the significant increase in the budget.
• Following the Government of New Brunswick withdrawal, the OIF launched an expedited bidding process to designate a new host. The City of Sherbrooke explored the possibility of hosting the Games, but the Government of Quebec decided not to submit a bid.

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