An increase to Canadian sport funding, including equestrian, is needed to support organizational demands and address cost increases. 

TORONTO (March 4, 2024) – With the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games quickly approaching, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) are calling on the federal government to make important investments in Canadian athletes and in a stronger, safer sport system. 

The COC and CPC are now releasing the results of a study undertaken by Deloitte on the financial health of Canadian National Sports Organizations (NSOs), as well as the subsequent funding submission asking for $104 million in additional annual federal sport funding to NSOs that was recently sent to the Government of Canada and the Official Opposition.  

In recent years, the government has taken important steps to strengthen safe sport and governance across the system. But the Canadian sport system is struggling to keep up with rising costs and increased organizational demands. Without an increase to funding, support for athletes at all levels will suffer, and the system will be poised to take a step backwards. 

An increase to Canadian sport system funding is urgently needed for NSOs to continue their core work of supporting athletes, provincial federations and clubs across the country. The significant gap in funding of $104 million is caused by 19 years of inflation since the last increase to sport funding in 2005 ($20 Million), the sunsetting of issue-specific funding ($57 Million), and the cost of increased demands on NSOs from stakeholders ($27 Million). Now, NSOs are being asked to do even more, with fewer resources, and the important progress that has been made in safe sport, gender equity, community access and mental-health support, amongst others, is in jeopardy. 

This summer, the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games will showcase Canadian athletes on the world’s biggest stage, and we cannot wait to cheer on Team Canada along with the entire country. We know that these Games and the success of Team Canada will instill pride across the country and inspire millions of Canadians of all ages to get active and involved in sport. Canadians deserve a sport system that is safe, inclusive, and barrier-free – and that means a system that is properly resourced. To meet this critical moment, we urge the federal government to ensure Canada’s NSOs have the funding required to provide athletes, and all Canadians, the safe and inclusive sport system they deserve, from playground to podium. 

The COC/CPC funding submission can be viewed HERE. 

FACTS AND FIGURES:  

• The COC and CPC are asking for $104M to go directly to NSOs;  
• 90 percent of NSOs rely on federal funding to deliver programs and services; 
• NSO purchasing power has decreased by 33 percent since the last increase in funding in 2005; 
• More than half of Canadians 15 and older participated in sport in 2023; 
• Sport is the number one form of civic engagement for Canadians; 
• Sport tourism generated $7.4B for Canada’s Economy in 2019; 
• A 1 percent increase in physical activity can save a $1B a year; 
• In Ontario alone, the Federal government raised over $200 million dollars in GST revenue from sport betting and iGaming in 2023 (iGaming Ontario Deloitte report, 2023); 
• Sports betting revenues are expected to grow dramatically in years to come, while the Canadian Sport System manages increased sport integrity and athlete support pressures. 

QUOTES: 

“We have known this was a growing issue but seeing the numbers in black and white really highlight that we’re on the brink of a crisis. NSOs cannot continue on this trajectory. They can’t run deficits, and if nothing changes difficult decisions will have to be made. The Future of Sport Commission will provide important insights about the important work done to strengthen the system in recent years and how it can improve further, but without an immediate injection of funds athletes will suffer in the next 12-18 months as we prepare to act on the findings. These funds are necessary for the continued development of a safe and inclusive sport in Canada that will benefit all Canadians.” – David Shoemaker, COC Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General 

“Paralympic sport and Para sport have made so many advances in recent years, truly illustrating the power and importance of inclusion; however, this progress will be significantly stalled without further investment in the Canadian sport system. The National Sport Organizations are critical to the development of Para sport across Canada, and in order to foster a healthy culture of excellence and provide more athletes with the opportunities and tools to succeed, it is clear more resources are needed.” – Karen O’Neill, CPC Chief Executive Officer 

“National Sport Organizations are mandated to support national teams and grow sport in Canada. Our day-to-day costs are increasing with inflation like every Canadian’s, but we also have an important role in ensuring sport is as safe and inclusive as possible. We cannot properly fulfill those duties without an increase in funding. This is a bipartisan issue that affects every community in Canada. A strong, inclusive sport system is crucial for the physical and mental health of millions of Canadians of all ages.” – Casey Wade, Canoe Kayak Canada Chief Executive Officer 

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