Media Advisory - Secretary of State van Koeverden to host Canada Strong through sport: The Playground to Podium Summit

The Playground to Podium Summit will bring together Canada's sport community to usher in a new era of Canadian sport.

OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 4, 2026 /CNW/ -- The Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport), will host Canada Strong through sport: The Playground to Podium Summit on Monday and Tuesday and take part in a series of events with leaders from across Canada's sport, industry and philanthropic sectors. The Playground to Podium Summit will serve as an opportunity to advance five key themes: invest, transform, participate, align and deliver, setting the stage for a new era of Canadian sport.

Please note that all details are subject to change. All times are local.

The details are as follows:

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2026

Event #1: Opening of the Summit by the Secretary of State (Sport), followed by a panel discussion with Stacey Allaster, Bruce Croxon and Bruny Surin.
Location: National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario
Time: 9:30–10:45 a.m.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2026

Event #2: Walk, Run, Roll, Ottawa – Photo opportunity with Summit participants
Location: Centennial Flame, 111 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario
Time: 7:00 a.m.

Event #3: Canada is a sporting nation: The athlete journey – Panel discussion with Miranda Ayim, Patrice Dagenais, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Andrew Ference and Isabelle Weidemann.
Location: National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario
Time: 9:00–9:45 a.m.

Event #4: Closing keynote by the Secretary of State (Sport)
Location: National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario
Time: 3:15 p.m.

Event #5: Closing press conference – Media availability with the Secretary of State (Sport)
Location: National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario
Time: 3:45 p.m.

Media representatives wishing to attend this event must confirm their participation by sending their full name and the name of their organization to [email protected] by 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 8. A link with photos and content from the event will also be shared with registered media. Details on how to attend will be provided afterward. Reporters wishing to schedule an interview with the Secretary of State (Sport) during the Summit may contact [email protected].

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SOURCE Canadian Heritage

For more information (media only), please contact: Bahoz Dara Aziz, Director of Communications, Office of the Secretary of State (Sport), [email protected]; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, [email protected]