Backgrounder — Increased Athlete Assistance Program Funding

The Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) contributes to improved Canadian performances at major international sporting events such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games and World Championships. Program support is provided under three categories: living and training allowance, tuition support and supplementary support.

This year marks the program’s 40^th anniversary. Since its inception in 1977, the AAP has supported over 15,000 athletes in 104 sport disciplines. Over the course of its existence, it has provided more than $512 million in direct support to athletes.

Through Budget 2017, the Government committed to investing an additional $25 million over 5 years, with $5 million per year ongoing, to the Athlete Assistance Program (AAP). This represents an 18 percent increase of current funding. The current fiscal year’s additional funding will be distributed in the following way: $4.25 million for the living and training allowance, $250,000 for tuition support and $500,000 for supplementary support. The total budget of the Program in 2017–18 is $33 million.

This new investment will directly assist approximately 1,900 athletes across Canada and will take place immediately. Sport Canada will issue retroactive increases for all Living and Training allowance payments eligible for the 2017–18 fiscal year.

The AAP provides lifetime maximum tuition funding of $25,500.

Facts and statistics

The new, increased rates of support offered to athletes: