Catalytic investment for Canadian sport

The Canadian federal government has pledged more than $750 million toward sport in the wake of a commission that found a “widespread funding crisis” in a broken and often unsafe sport system. Much of the sports funding is earmarked to go directly to national sport organizations, which haven’t seen an increase to core funding in more than two decades.

“A Canada for all must also be a Canada where sport is accessible for everyone,” said Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, adding that it is as “the most significant investment in our sport system in 20 years.”

Sail Canada anticipates how the investment will expand access to sport and strengthen support for Canadian athletes from grassroots to high performance.

“This is a catalytic investment in sport at a pivotal moment for Canada’s sport system,” said Ryan Kelly, CEO of Sail Canada. “It reflects a renewed commitment to athletes and communities across the country. For sailing, it will help us grow participation, modernize our programs, and support athletes competing at the highest levels.”

However, the funding comes with a warning that national sport organizations are expected to do things differently and find new streams of revenue.

“We want national sport organizations to work with private sector partners who share the goal of getting more Canadians involved in sport,” the government’s economic update says. “And we expect national sport organizations to make changes to their programming to invest in sport at all levels.”

Source: Sail Canada, CBC