Prime Minister Stephen Harper announces infrastructure funding at a news conference in Vancouver.
Canada's Olympic glory will extend beyond sport into increased clout on the global political stage, Prime Minister Stephen Harper is predicting.
Referring to the G8 and G20 summits Canada will host later this year, Mr. Harper said the events will "highlight Canada's stature on the world stage," just as the Olympics and Paralympics do.
"Collectively they will send the message that 2010 is Canada's year," he said.
Future historians will look back on the country's growing strength in the 21st century and attribute it to the outcome of the Games, the Prime Minister said. "They will say it all began right here on the West Coast with the best Olympic Winter Games the world has ever seen."
Mr. Harper, who announced 15 new infrastructure projects at a news conference yesterday with B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell, weaved Olympic themes throughout his comments, including those about the economic recovery.
"Our recovery will not be achieved through government action alone," he said. "Much also depends on the confidence, resilience and perseverance of our people. Canadians have all these characteristics in spades. We have just received a timely reminder and boost from the success of our athletes at the Vancouver and Whistler Olympics."
But the Prime Minister insisted he did not expect Olympic good feeling to somehow benefit his government, which has taken a hit from the prorogation of Parliament.
"I think the Games are all about the country, all about the athletes," he said. "We'll leave our political battles for another day."
Still, Mr. Harper was effusive on the outcome of the Games - "I could go on about this for some time, but what can you say about 14 gold medals?"
"These Games have given Canada a jolt of energy and confidence that will serve us well in 2010 and beyond."
Mr. Harper declined to comment about future government support for the Own the Podium program to help athletes, suggesting the budget on Thursday will provide clarification on such issues.
Mr. Harper said he had spent more time with Finance Minister Jim Flaherty on this week's budget than any other, though it would be the "smallest" budget from his government.
"We're now in the business of figuring out what are all the things we have to say 'no' to instead of all the things we have to say 'yes' to. That's proven to be a much tougher exercise, but one that has to be done," he said.
Also attending the infrastructure announcement was Federal Heritage Minister James Moore, who two weeks ago took Olympic organizers to task over a lack of French content in their opening ceremonies, but yesterday gave the closing ceremonies more positive reviews.
Mr. Moore referred to a "fantastic" speech by John Furlong, CEO of the Vancouver Organizing Committee.
"He opened in French. He closed in French. He showed a great deal of courage standing in front of an international audience of billions of people watching the closing ceremonies and making a genuine effort in a language he doesn't have a lot of comfort in speaking.
"It showed a great deal of respect of Canada's official languages."
Mr. Moore also said he was pleased with the bilingual national anthem, and bilingual Olympic hymn.
"They really stepped up," he said. "They made a real genuine effort. It was obvious. It was plain to see to anybody, who saw the opening and closing ceremonies that VANOC did a great job.
"We're very happy with it."
Ian Bailey