Intergovernmental Sport Policy Development

Federal-Provincial/Territorial Sport Committee (FPTSC)

Our sport system is strengthened through the collaboration of Federal-Provincial/Territorial (F-P/T) governments. In 1986, Federal-Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Sport, Fitness and Recreation created the Federal-Provincial/Territorial Sport Committee (FPTSC) to foster cooperation in sport, fitness and recreation between the federal government and the Provinces and Territories. The FPTSC works to:

• increase communication between officials at all levels
• establish yearly initiatives for joint projects and activities
• define roles and responsibilities for the all levels of government in sport
• reduce costs and share funding on joint projects and activities
• collaborate on Canada Games, the National Coaching Certification program and Aboriginal Issues.

The work of the FPTSC includes the development of the first ever inter-governmental policy for sport, the Canadian Sport Policy in 2002. The impact of the Canadian Sport Policy was assessed from 2009 to 2012, and this led to the endorsement of the Canadian Sport Policy 2012 and a set of FPTSC Priorities for Collaborative Action 2012-2017.

As well bilateral agreements have been reached between the federal government and all 13 provincial/territorial governments. These agreements are renegotiated every three to four years to reflect evolving priorities.

Ministers’ Conferences are held on a regular basis so that Ministers can set priorities, make policy decisions and provide direction to government officials for collaborative work. Conferences are often held at the same time and place as the Canada Games. The federal chair is shared by the Minister responsible for sport and the Minister responsible for physical activity.