Sport Matters Group – Finance Minister Bill Morneau released his fourth federal budget, Investing in the Middle Class, and the sport sector was the beneficiary of a significant investment to make sure Canadians of all ages, backgrounds and abilities are able to access the benefits of values-based sport.
Budget 2019 proposes to provide $30 million over five years, starting in 2019–20, with $6 million per year ongoing, to enable Canadian sports organizations to promote accessible, ethical, equitable and safe sports. The funding increase is seen as a very positive step for our national sport organizations.
“This funding increase will allow our National sport organizations to enable more Canadians to experience the life-changing benefits of sport participation. For Waterpolo Canada, this investment will enhance our programs and services, and allow us to better support our athletes to strive for success in a safe environment” said Martin Goulet, Executive Director of Water Polo Canada.
“Minister Kirsty Duncan continues to demonstrate the Government’s commitment to taking strong action to protect Canadians participating in sport by ensuring a safe and healthy sport system. We are very pleased with the support announced in today’s budget” said Lindsay Hugenholtz Sherk, Senior Leader at the Sport Matters Group.
In its submission, the Sport Matters Group recommended an increase to the Sport Support Program to allow National sport organizations, Multisport organizations, and Canadian Sport Institutes to hire the right people, develop the right programs, and build the policies needed to keep kids active and make sure Canadians of all ages, backgrounds and abilities are able to access the benefits of values-based sport. The Budget has recognized the pressure that these organizations have been coping with and demonstrated a concerted effort to boost support in this area.
For more detailed information on the Budget click here. (Budget.gc.ca)
About Sport Matters Group
The Sport Matters Group (SMG) is a voluntary group of leaders from the sport, physical activity and recreation sector who have come together to talk about the important contribution that sport makes to society and to collaborate in advancing sport, physical activity, recreation and public policy. The SMG community includes over 80 National, Provincial, and Multisport Organizations, as well as physical activity, recreation and sport tourism organizations.
For more information, please contact:
Lindsay Hugenholtz Sherk, Senior Leader
Sport Matters Group
O (613) 521-9862 ext 3301
C (613) 266-9200