GOVERNOR GENERAL TO ATTEND CLOSING CEREMONIES OF THE PAN AMERICAN GAMES

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada , will attend the Pan American Games in Guadalajara , Mexico on October 29 and 30, 2011, including the closing ceremonies.

The 2011 Pan American/Parapan American Games bring Canadian athletes together with other world calibre athletes in a common pursuit of sport excellence. Through the Athlete Assistance Program (AAP), the Government provides more than $27 million in direct funding to Canada 's international calibre. This is the largest source of direct financial assistance to athletes in Canada .

Toronto and the Greater Golden Horseshoe region will host the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games which will take place respectively July 10-26, 2015 and August 7-14, 2015.