Hockey Canada recruiting immigrant children

Studies have shown that Canada’s population is not increasing on its own and the number of children from ages five to 19 has been decreasing. Immigration is one of the main sources for population growth in Canada. Hockey Canada has recognized this fact and is now targeting young newcomers to Canada.

Hockey Canada sends out an annual planner around the country to young hockey players. The planner includes hockey events and hockey-related activities. This year, Hockey Canada has produced the planner in 12 different languages. Planners are now available in Arabic, Chinese, Cree, German, Inuktitut, Italian, Portuguese, Punjabi, Spanish and Tagalog.

The aim of the new program is to introduce hockey to newcomers to Canada. Many new immigrants are looking for activities for their children and they can now consider hockey, or at least skating.

Hockey Canada's vice-president of member services Glen McCurdie commented in the Montreal Gazette on Monday, "We feel if we are able to even get kids on skates, we've done our job. Hockey is such a part of our country, it's such a vibrant sport, that if we can get people onto skates, that the natural flow will be for them to try hockey at some point."