The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) commend the Government of Canada for its landmark investment in sport, announced in the Spring Economic Update on April 28. This represents a major turning point for sport in Canada and a meaningful recognition of its impact on communities nationwide.
The federal commitment of $755 million over five years marks a generational investment in building Canada as a leading sporting nation which includes:
1) Core funding increase
The most important structural change in the entire funding package provides $660M over 5 years to national sport organizations (NSOs, including Equestrian Canada), then approx. $110M per year ongoing. This long-awaited increase to the Sport Support Program funding addresses the widely-cited issue that core funding has been flat for the past 20 years.
2) Athlete-focused funding
About $45M over 5 years for athletes, plus ongoing (~$8M/year) support for:
- training and competition costs
- mental health support
- direct athlete assistance
3) Event hosting
Roughly $50M over 5 years for hosting events, focussing on bringing international events to Canada to support the broader sport system and visibility.
4) Policy intent
The government has been explicit that funding should support all levels of sport, not just high performance. Goals include:
- increased participation
- stronger athlete pipeline
- improved international results
For years, NSOs have delivered extraordinary results despite limited resources, often facing difficult decisions that affected athlete development and accessibility. This new and sustained investment provides an opportunity to rebuild a modern, aligned, and well-supported sport system that directs more resources to athletes at every level, from grassroots to high performance.
The COC and CPC, alongside Team Canada athletes and partners across the sport and business communities, have long advocated for increased federal investment. Today’s announcement recognizes the importance of a safe, inclusive, and well-resourced sport system. It also advances the vision outlined in the Future of Sport in Canada Commission’s Final Report, which called for urgent reinvestment and long-term modernization.
The organizations extend their thanks to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Minister of Finance and National Revenue François-Philippe Champagne for their leadership and belief in sport as a nation-building force — from playground to podium. Special recognition is given to Secretary of State (Sport) Adam van Koeverden for his advocacy and commitment to strengthening sport in Canada. As an Olympic champion in sprint kayak, he has consistently championed a safe and accessible system that expands opportunities for all Canadians, while better supporting athletes who inspire the country.
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