Minister Glover Unveils Program for the 37th Winterlude Featuring Canadian Sports, Traditions and Arts

The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, today unveiled the official program for Winterlude 2015. Winterlude will run from January 30 to February 16, 2015, with festivities taking place at three official sites: Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau and the Rideau Canal Skateway and Confederation Park in Ottawa. A wide range of activities will also be presented by partners at other venues around Canada’s Capital Region. Minister Glover was joined at today’s news conference by Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, Gilles Carpentier on behalf of Mayor of Gatineau Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin, and National Capital Commission CEO Dr. Mark Kristmanson. Quick Facts During Winterlude 2015, the Department of Canadian Heritage, along with many programming partners, will highlight the following Canadian milestones: ► To mark the Year of Sport in Canada, visitors will be invited to admire snow sculptures; play soccer in the snow by joining Shuéme, the official mascot of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015; get introduced to downhill skiing; and learn more about ringette and other sports in Jacques-Cartier Park. In Confederation Park, visitors will also get to admire an enormous Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games ice sculpture and participate in the interactive public art exhibit. ► To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Flag, a flag-raising ceremony will take place on February 15 in Confederation Park. ► The 200th anniversary of the birth of Sir John A. Macdonald will be highlighted at Jacques-Cartier Park with interactive activities presented by Parks Canada to celebrate the life of the first Prime Minister of Canada. Celebrations officially begin at 7:00 p.m. on January 30 in Confederation Park with Winterlude’s opening ceremony: Catch the Spirit… Dream, Play, Excel! “Canada’s Capital Region is set to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors to the 37th Winterlude, where we’ll celebrate our country’s sports, winter traditions and artistic talent. Come skate, slide and meet the Ice Hog family during the Capital’s winter celebration!” —The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages Associated Links: www.winterlude.gc.ca | Backgrounder and follow Winterlude on Twitter @Winterlude (#Winterlude) and on Facebook.For more information (media only), please contact: Marisa Monnin, Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages 819-997-7788 Media Relations Canadian Heritage 819-994-9101 | 1-866-569-6155 media@pch.gc.ca