
Ottawa had a significant presence in the Canadian Football League with the Ottawa Rough Riders football team and an attempted revival with the Ottawa Renegades (established 2002 - suspended operations in 2006, due to financial difficulties and poor fan attendance). Local not-for-profit organizations such as volunteer-based community or recreation associations are invited to apply for funding to provide one- to two-day civic events with free admission that foster civic pride and develop community cohesion. These events are linked to and celebrate a civic/statutory holiday (i.e. Victoria Day, Canada Day), are held in a specific geographic district in Ottawa and encompass a broad range of activities.