It’s great to see so many people out today to celebrate the flame passing through Fort McMurray; and our community becoming part of Olympic history!

The Government of Canada is very proud to be part of this wonderful adventure, cheering on our athletes as they go for gold, and making sure that the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games are truly Canada’s Games.

And this is going to be the longest domestic torch relay in the history of the Olympic Winter Games! 

It started on October 30th in Victoria, British Columbia, and it will end in Vancouver with the start of the Games on February 12th, when our best and brightest athletes will own the podium. 

By February, the flame will have travelled more than 45,000 kilometres across the country, and Canadians in more than 1,000 communities will have had a chance to see it and celebrate.

The Olympic Torch Relay will help to create unforgettable experiences … for you … for me … and for all Canadians. 

This is especially true today, when my friend, Mrs. Elsie Yanik, our other torchbearers, and the whole community of FM, have the honour of being proud ambassadors to the world – we’re one of only 3 communities that will host an official Torch event in all of Northern Alberta!

The Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays are bringing the thrill of the Games to towns like ours across Canada.  The opening of the 2010 Games is fast approaching, and there;s now only 98 days left to go before the opening ceremonies.

I’d like to take this opportunity to present this plaque to Mayor Melissa Blake on behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and our Government to ensure that the memory of this extraordinary adventure will stay in Dort McMurray for years to come.  Thank you….

…and best of  luck to all of our athletes and organizers from here to the finish line!