Toronto, ON (November 7, 2025) – The Federal Budget 2025 reinforces Canada’s commitment to long-term investment and growth. While we are, as athletes, disappointed that no new National High Performance Sport–specific funding was announced, AthletesCAN remains hopeful. This is a pivotal moment to imagine what’s possible and to ensure that sport is recognized as a key pillar in Canada’s nation-building vision.
AthletesCAN acknowledges the government’s continued investment in initiatives that strengthen communities and expand access to sport and recreation across the country. Support for community programming through the Build Communities Strong Fund, increased mental health support, infrastructure, and sustained CBC coverage reflects a clear commitment to growing participation and celebrating the power of sport in Canada.
However, national team athletes are frustrated and continue to face growing financial and systemic challenges. Without increased investment in high-performance sport, many athletes struggle to meet the rising costs of training, equipment, and travel while representing Canada on the world stage. Even as sport unites Canadians around major events like the Olympic and Paralympic Games, athletes need more support year-round – long after the cameras are turned off and the medals are won.
Grace Dafoe, AthletesCAN Board Member and Skeleton National Team Athlete, weighs in on the financial struggles that national team athletes face. “As a currently competing Canadian athlete, I know how real the funding challenges are. We need to keep advocating to ensure athletes have the support they need to perform. I’m hopeful that with more awareness and honest conversations about what it takes to compete for Canada, athletes will be recognized and heard in the future.”
AthletesCAN recognizes that meaningful, lasting change within the Canadian sport system takes time and collaboration. We remain encouraged by the government’s ongoing review of the sport landscape through the Future of Sport in Canada Commission, whose recommendations are currently being finalized. AthletesCAN is committed to continuing to advocate and work with the federal government to ensure that future investments help to shape a safer, more inclusive, and athlete-centred sport system. Athletes remain hopeful that upcoming budgets will reflect the level of ambition and support needed to make this vision a reality.
As discussions about the future of sport continue, AthletesCAN President and Olympic Gold Medalist, affirmed that the organization will keep championing athlete priorities while strengthening partnerships across the system. “At AthletesCAN, our focus will always be on ensuring that athlete voices are heard, respected, and reflected in the decisions that shape our sport system. We value the relationship we’ve built with our government partners and will continue to work together to create meaningful change that puts athletes at the heart of Canadian sport – now and for generations to come.”
We know that 2026 will be a landmark year for Canadian sport, with the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Milano Cortina, the FIFA World Cup coming to Canada alongside the USA and Mexico, and a series of major international and national championship events on the horizon. Sport brings Canadians together. It unites communities, fuels national pride, and inspires the next generation to dream bigger.
As the government works to build a stronger, more resilient Canada, we believe that investing in athletes and the sport system must be part of that future. With the right support, sport can continue to elevate Canada on the world stage and empower Canadian athletes to achieve excellence.
AthletesCAN looks forward to collaborating with the government, the Canadian Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission, and the Canadian Paralympic Committee Athletes’ Council to ensure the future of sport in Canada supports and reflects the same ambition, momentum, and determination demonstrated by Canadian athletes every day.
About AthletesCAN
AthletesCAN is the association of Canada’s national team athletes and the collective athlete voice of the Canadian sport system. As the first and only fully independent athlete-led organization of its kind in the world, AthletesCAN ensures an athlete-centered sport system by advocating for the collective voice of all national team athletes.
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Media Contact
Jennifer Hopmans, OLY
Manager, Digital Marketing & Communications
AthletesCAN
613-526-4025 Ext. 224
jhopmans@athletescan.ca