It’s not every day you have an opportunity to chat with our prime minister

 – but on Friday, January 7,
Canadian Tire Jumpstart President, Dan Thompson, along with a few Welland Jumpstart chapter
members, did just that.
Prime Minster Harper was in Welland, Ontario, to launch the annual Prime Minister’s Volunteer Awards.
The purpose of the program is to help recognize the outstanding contributions of Canadians who
volunteer their time, energy and talents to helping others, as well as local business leaders and
individuals from not-for-profit organizations that make a difference in their communities.
The group was given the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Minister of Human
Resources and Skills Development, Diane Finley and Minister of Justice, Rob Nicholson to discuss how
Canadian Tire Jumpstart is making a difference in communities across Canada. Prime Minister Harper
congratulated the team on their great work and wore a Jumpstart hockey jersey in show of support.
Jumpstart is also celebrating additional federal government funding from Sport Canada, which strives to
enhance opportunities for all Canadians to participate and excel in sport. This is achieved by
encouraging participation in sport and fits well with Jumpstart’s purpose of providing organized sport
and recreation opportunities for financially disadvantaged children and youth.
The opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Harper and the funding from Sport Canada demonstrates
the impact that Canadian Tire Jumpstart is having across the country.