Government of Canada will provide support to groups that champion accessibility and inclusivity in sport

“Today’s announcement reinforces our commitment to building stronger and healthier communities. Sport plays an important role in building self-esteem and leadership skills, which allow people to grow and thrive physically, emotionally and socially. It should be accessible to everyone and become the basis for our children, who all deserve the opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity.”

—The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

“Sport is a catalyst to a healthy and happy lifestyle. Opportunities that lead to healthy bodies and minds should be available for everyone. We are committed to supporting initiatives that will help us realize our goal of a more inclusive Canadian sport system that benefits everyone.”

—Adam van Koeverden, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and to the Minister of Sport

• Budget 2021 proposed as much as $80 million over two years to be distributed across the country via the Community Sport for All initiative. The investment will support accessible local organized sport and remove barriers to participation in sport programming.

• The national organizations receiving funding today from the Community Sport for All Initiative include Canadian Blind Hockey ($200,000), the Canadian Volleyball Association ($243,136), Commonwealth Sport Canada ($190,000), Judo Canada ($282,352), Physical Health and Education Canada ($2,190,000), Special Olympics Canada ($467,000), Squash Canada ($312,000), Women’s Para Hockey of Canada ($60,000), Cross Country Ski de fond Canada ($284,317), the Kenyan Canadian Association ($140,000) and Right to Play ($374,000). Community groups are invited to contact the organizations to learn how to submit their proposals to receive funding.

• Another seven national recipients were announced earlier this year: Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities ($6,858,000), KidSport Canada ($4,430,000), Rowing Canada ($885,000), Canadian Women & Sport ($2,000,000), ParticipACTION ($4,667,000), Field Hockey Canada ($76,000) and Canadian Parks and Recreation Association ($8,000,000).

• Special Olympics Canada is a national non‑profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of Canadians with intellectual disabilities through sport. The organization has nearly 25,000 members and 13,000 volunteers throughout its 12 provincial and territorial chapters (with the exception of Nunavut). It offers multiple programs and sport opportunities across Canada and manages the Special Olympics National Team Program that represents our country on the world stage.

Related products

• Backgrounder: Detailed list of 2022-2023 recipients of funding through the Community Sport for All Initiative
• Minister St-Onge announces the first two national recipients of the Community Sport for All Initiative
• Minister St-Onge announces Rowing Canada Aviron as another national recipient of the Community Sport for All Initiative
• Minister St-Onge announces Canadian Women & Sport as a national recipient of the Community Sport for All Initiative
• Parliamentary Secretary Adam van Koeverden announces ParticipACTION as a national recipient of the Community Sport for All Initiative
• Parliamentary Secretary Adam van Koeverden announces Field Hockey Canada as a national recipient of the Community Sport for All Initiative
• Minister St-Onge announces Canadian Parks and Recreation Association as a national recipient of the Community Sport for All Initiative

Associated links

• Community Sport for All Initiative – Sport Support Program
• Budget 2022 – $16 million over three years, starting in 2022–23, to support actions to create a safer sport system
• Budget 2021 – A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience

For more information (media only), please contact:

Ariane Joazard-Bélizaire
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
ariane.joazard-belizaire@pch.gc.ca

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
1-819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca