What a great honour to be allowed to join those fortunate enough to carry the torch of the 2022 Canada Summer Games. Thank you to all the volunteers who have put in so many hours to bring the Games to Niagara and to those who have put their lives on hold the last few years so that our region could play host to the county's athletes.

So many years after a spark of an idea led to a presentation hardly anyone thought had a chance, we stand here today as the torch of the 2022 Canada Summer Games arrives in, and travels through, Port Colborne – as part of its journey through Niagara.

Like the very competitions we will soon be attending and cheering at, so much of the real work has taken place behind the scenes, far away from the spotlight.

Early mornings, late nights and weekends full of planning and working to ensure everything is in its place and that everything goes according to plan. All of which has led to this moment as we hold the torch up and pass it from hand to hand across this great municipality.

We are all part of this tradition now - part of the Canada Summer Games story. The facilities we’ve built for this moment and this experience we are sharing will live with us long after the flame has been extinguished.

Here’s to the 2022 Canada Summer Games – and Niagara’s moment to show the country just how wonderful our corner of Canada really is.

Thank you and merci.