Question Period Note: 2022 Games of La Francophonie

The 2021 Games of La Francophonie in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, were postponed to 2022 due to the pandemic. Because of significant delays in the preparations and governance issues, the member States and Governments of the International Organisation of La Francophonie must decide whether to maintain, postpone or cancel the 2022 Games of La Francophonie.

• 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.
• 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 supports GAC by managing and coordinating Team Canada’s participation at the Games, including security and medical support for participating artists, athletes and coaches.
• In March 2020, Minister of Foreign Affairs confirmed Canada’s commitment in principle to participate in the next Games of La Francophonie scheduled to be held August 19 28, 2022, in Kinshasa, capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). At the same time, the Minister of Canadian Heritage confirmed his support to establish the team that will represent Canada at the Games.
• Following the withdrawal of the government of New Brunswick, which was initially designated to host the next Games of La Francophonie in Moncton and Dieppe, the Ministerial Conference of the OIF awarded the IX Games to the DRC, the only candidate to have submitted a bid. Since the awarding of the Games to the DRC, significant delays in the preparations and serious concerns have been raised on several occasions by the OIF.
• A decision on the maintenance, the postponement or the cancellation of the next Games is anticipated later this month when members of La Francophonie are scheduled to meet (November 18 and 19, 2021).
• Given the current health crisis, the political and security contexts and the delays in the preparations to host the Games in DRC, the Government of Canada will analyze the level of risk, namely in regards to health and security for Canadian athletes and artists, to determine the appropriate level of participation at these Games.

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