Athletics Canada applauds the Government of Canada recognizing the value of sport to our country’s economic recovery in today’s Federal Budget – A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth and Resilience.
The importance of physical activity, its impact on the physical and mental health of Canadians, and the adverse economic effects from the COVID pandemic have been pronounced since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020. Athletics Canada is greatly encouraged by the following actions outlined in today’s federal government budget:
- Budget 2021 proposes to invest $200 million through Canadian Heritage to support local festivals, community cultural events, outdoor theatre performances, heritage celebrations, local museums, amateur sport events, and more;
- Budget 2021 proposes to provide $80 million over two years, starting in 2021-22, to Canadian Heritage to remove barriers to participation in sports programming, and to help community organizations kick-start local organized sports that are accessible to all;
- Budget 2021 proposes to provide $300 million over two years, starting in 2021-22, to Canadian Heritage to establish a Recovery Fund for Heritage, Arts, Culture and Sport Sectors;
- Budget 2021 proposes to provide $14.2 million over five years, and $2.9 million ongoing, beginning in 2021-22 to ensure that Indigenous women and girls have access to meaningful sports activities through the Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities program.
As the National Sport Organization (NSO) responsible for athletics in Canada (track and field, cross country, as well as road, mountain, ultra and trail running), Athletics Canada (like the entire NSO community) is uniquely able to deliver on all of the objectives outlined in today’s budget. From working with our Provincial/Territorial Branch partners to deliver more grassroots programming opportunities, to investing in the vast road running event business that has been decimated by COVID cancellations, to finding new opportunities for Indigenous women and girls, Athletics Canada is ready to accept the challenges put forth today by our Federal Government. We look forward to working closely with Minister of Heritage Steven Guilbeault, Parliamentary Secretary Adam van Koeverden, and our colleagues at Sport Canada in making sure there is a strong return on investment for the people of Canada.
As our elite athletes prepare for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer, the Federal Government has today demonstrated that it is prepared to invest in helping our domestic sport system recover from the COVID pandemic. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the Federal Government to deliver on this promise to Canadians.
