Kitchener-Waterloo

Campaign launches promoting local support for 2021 Canada Games bid

The #WeRally2021 campaign kicked off Sunday to gain local support as Waterloo Region bids against Ottawa, Sudbury and the Niagara region to host the 2021 Canada Games.

The Canada Games evaluation committee checks out Waterloo Region Feb. 28

The #WeRally Campaign kicked off Jan. 8, 2017 to grow local support as Waterloo Region bids to host the 2021 Canada Games. (Carmen Ponciano/CBC News)

The #WeRally2021 campaign campaign kicked off Sunday to gain local support as Waterloo Region bids against Ottawa, Sudbury and the Niagara region to host the 2021 Canada Games.

Campaign coordinators and local athletes such as boxer Mandy Bujold and swimmer Alec Elliot visited the Mayors' New Year's Levee celebrations on Jan. 8 to launch the campaign and push for community support.

"I think Waterloo Region is a perfect fit," Bujold told CBC News during the tri-city stop at Kitchener City Hall. "We are a big city with a small town feel and I think that's what's great for the Canada Games."

The Canada Games evaluation committee will be visiting Waterloo Region and touring various venues on Feb. 28.

March announcement

The federal government will make a capital investment of $6,000,000  to the winning region.

However, we won't know who will host the 2021 Canada Games until an announcement at the end of March.

"When you look at us in comparison to the other communities that are bidding for it, the population base surrounding Waterloo Region is tremendous," said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic.

"It's also a great partnership between three cities in one region coming together saying 'we want to jointly do this and showcase our community to the country.'"