Prime Minister Introduces Federal Team Supporting
Toronto's Bid for the 2008 Olympic/Paralympic Games
February 25, 2000
Ottawa,Ontario
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien today announced that Transport Minister
David Collenette, Canadian Heritage Minister Sheila Copps, Foreign
Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy, and Secretary of State (Amateur Sport)
Denis Coderre will lead the Government of Canada ‘s efforts in support of Toronto's bid for the
2008 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Prime Minister also announced that David G.
Adam will support their work in the role of Special Ambassador.
"I have every reason to believe that the City of Toronto will submit a strong bid which will be
supported by the people of Toronto and all Canadians," the Prime Minister said. "The strength of
our team is another sign of the Government of Canada's support for Toronto's bid."
Minister Collenette, Senior Political Minister for the Greater Toronto Area, will act as federal
spokesperson and representative to provincial and municipal governments and to the Bid
Committee. Minister Copps will co-ordinate federal efforts to promote Toronto's bid, supported by
Secretary of State Coderre. Minister Axworthy will support Toronto's bid internationally.
Mr. Adam began his diplomatic career in 1968. He has been posted to Canada's Permanent
Mission to the United Nations in New York, and to New Delhi, Santiago, Caracas, Mexico City and Quito. In 1994, Mr. Adam helped Winnipeg to clinch the 1999 Pan-American Games.
"Toronto's bid will greatly benefit from Mr. Adam's international expertise and experience," Mr. Chrétien said.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will announce the host city for the 2008 Games in
the summer of 2001.
A biographical note on Ambassador Adam is attached.
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PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555
David G. Adam
A Toronto native, Mr. Adam earned a BA (Hons) from the University of Western
Ontario, and an LLB from the University of Toronto. He joined the Trade
Commissioner Service of the Department of Industry, Trade and Commerce in 1968
and served in New York - at Canada’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations
and the Canadian Consulate - in New Delhi, Santiago, Caracas, and, from 1990 to
1993 in Mexico City as Minister Counsellor. In 1994, he was named Canada’s
Ambassador in support of Winnipeg’s bid for the 1999 Pan-American Games, which
were awarded to Winnipeg in August, 1994. In 1995, he was appointed Canada’s
Ambassador to Equador, a position he held until 1998. In Ottawa, Mr. Adam served
in a number of positions within the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade, including Director, Export Control Division; Senior
Departmental Assistant to the Minister for International Trade, and Director,
Mexico and South America Division. Since 1998, he has been Director of
Investment Partnerships Canada. Mr. Adam’s spouse is Tatiana Jilkina and he
has one son.
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