Soccer on Canada’s Parliament Hill

A friendly soccer match on the front lawn of Parliament Hill in Canada’s capital of Ottawa is an annual affair. This year’s “friendly” match had special significance, both because it coincides with the country’s “2015 Year of Sport” and because it promoted the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™.

The match featured Members of Parliament against Parliamentary Press Gallery media. Canada’s Minister of State (Sport) Bal Gosal, Minister of Justice Peter MacKay, Minister of Health Rona Ambrose and Speaker of the House, Andrew Scheer were among the members that lined up for the friendly.

Several ministers, including Minister Gosal, also took the time to welcome the many countries participating in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™, offering words of encouragement and highlighting the Canadian hospitality each of the 24 finalists can expect across the six venue host cities.

This summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 runs 6 June to 5 July. The competition will engage terrific impact for the cities and provinces across Canada, with an estimated cumulative economic impact of $267 million.