Statement by the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), on the Announcement of the Location of the Lord Stanley Memorial Monument

OTTAWA, March 18, 2013 /CNW/ - Today marks another milestone in the development of a memorial monument honouring Lord Stanley and his iconic gift to Canadian sport - the Stanley Cup.

It was here in Ottawa in 1892 that the promise of a cup - emblematic of hockey and sporting excellence in Canada - was conceived.

Today, the Stanley Cup is one of the world's most recognizable and cherished trophies and an enduring historical symbol of the spirit of competitive play.

It is also fitting the proposed completion date of the monument in 2017 marks the 125^th birthday of the Cup and the 150^th anniversary of our great country.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, I congratulate the Lord Stanley Memorial Monument Committee and look forward to a structure fitting of the memory of Lord Stanley.

SOURCE: Canadian Heritage