2020 Arctic Winter Games: How Uneven Competition Led to Significant Change in Northern Sport Development

This is the first blog in a series leading up to the 2020 Arctic Winter Games that will be hosted by Whitehorse, YT March 15-21, 2020. Subsequent blogs will focus on the logistical challenges of hosting in a smaller centre, engaging remote northern and First Nations communities, and the incorporation of Circumpolar culture. Living in…

Commercialization of Public Spaces

For newcomers, informal sport can be an initial (and long-term) source of friendships and social networks that help with settlement, integration and belonging. However, in Sydney, Australia, the commercialization of public outdoor space, whether for rentals or redevelopment, is threatening this type of participation. Learn more in this article from The Conversation.

IDAHOT 2019

Like many sport organizations across Canada, the Canada Games Council (CGC) has recognized inclusion as a core value within its strategic plan, but what does that really mean in practice? To recognize International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, today’s SIRC blog focuses on how the CGC put this value into practice to ensure the…

Putting “Inclusion” into Practice for our LGBTQI2S Community

Like many sport organizations across Canada, the Canada Games Council (CGC) has recognized inclusion as a core value within its strategic plan, but what does that really mean in practice? For the CGC, inclusion includes policies, procedures and programs focused on opportunities for: Women Indigenous individuals Minority populations Individuals with physical disabilities Individuals with intellectual…

Gender Equity is Good Governance – Lessons from the Sport Sector

The gender makeup of sport, and sport leadership, is changing. In 2018, the Government of Canada made it clear that gender equity is a priority for all levels of sport, setting a target to achieve gender equality by 2035. In February, as part of the Red Deer Declaration, the federal, provincial and territorial Ministers responsible…

Budget 2019

The Federal Government’s Budget 2019 announced $30 million over five years, and $6 million per year ongoing, to enable Canada’s national sport organizations to promote accessible, ethical, equitable and safe sport.

Innovation Initiative

Does your organization have an idea to improve sport participation in Canada? Sport Canada’s Innovation Initiative provides funding to deliver and test innovative program approaches to engage women and girls, LGBTQ2+ communities, persons with disabilities, and newcomers to Canada. Click here for more information.

IWD 2019

In celebration of International Women’s Day, CAAWS released its new Women in Sport Leadership Snapshot. The evidence is clear – organizations with gender diverse boards are more effective. Within sport, 47% of national sport organizations (NSOs) and multisport service organizations (MSOs) have a documented commitment to a gender equitable board, yet 93% indicated intentions to…

Safe sport: transgender

Research from the University of Manitoba revealed locker rooms, unfamiliar environments, and unknown sports officials can create unsafe spaces for trans athletes. The creation and enforcement of comprehensive trans inclusion policies, education about the participation of trans athletes, and efforts to eliminate transphobia, are all necessary to create a safe and inclusive sport system for…

Curling Day in Canada 2019

A video from the Curling Canada Foundation brings values-based sport to life, promoting respect, togetherness, inclusion and fair play. February 23, 2019 is Curling Day in Canada, a Curling Canada initiative designed to celebrate the great sport of curling by showcasing the game, the incredible people and our curling rinks that are key parts of…