The Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee have asked the federal government for an additional $104-million in funding to help the Canadian sport system cope with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the inflation. The two committees said that the funding is urgently needed to avoid a crisis that could jeopardize the safety, inclusion, and performance of Canadian athletes and sport organizations.
The COC and the CPC, in a joint budget request on Monday, said that the Canadian sport system is facing a significant funding gap of $104 million, which is caused by three factors:
- The inflation of 19 years since the last increase to sport funding in 2005 ($20 million).
- The sunsetting of issue-specific funding that supported initiatives such as safe sport, gender equity, and mental health ($57 million).
- The increased demands on national sport organizations (NSOs) from stakeholders such as athletes, coaches, officials, and governments ($27 million).
The two committees said that the inflation has eroded the purchasing power of the sport funding, which has not kept pace with the rising costs of operating and delivering sport programs and services. They said that the inflation has also affected the ability of NSOs to attract and retain qualified staff, to invest in technology and innovation, and to maintain and upgrade their facilities and equipment.
The impact and the risk
The COC and the CPC said that the funding gap has had a negative impact on the quality and sustainability of the Canadian sport system, and that it poses a serious risk to the safety, inclusion, and performance of Canadian athletes and sport organizations. They said that the impact and the risk are evident in several areas, such as:
- The safety and well-being of athletes, who may face increased exposure to abuse, harassment, and discrimination, as well as reduced access to mental health support and medical care.
- The inclusion and diversity of sport, which may be compromised by the lack of resources and opportunities for underrepresented and marginalized groups, such as women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and newcomers.
- The performance and excellence of athletes, who may experience decreased competitiveness and results, as well as diminished motivation and confidence, due to the lack of adequate training, coaching, and competition.
- The development and growth of sport, which may be hindered by the loss of talent and participation, as well as the erosion of public trust and interest, due to the lack of quality and accessible sport programs and services.
The request and the rationale
The COC and the CPC said that their request for an additional $104-million in funding from the federal government is based on the need and the value of the Canadian sport system, and that it is aligned with the government’s priorities and commitments. They said that their request and their rationale are supported by several arguments, such as:
- The need to restore and enhance the core funding of NSOs, which are the backbone of the Canadian sport system, and which provide essential support and services to athletes, provincial federations, and clubs across the country.
- The need to sustain and expand the issue-specific funding of NSOs, which enable them to address and advance key issues and initiatives, such as safe sport, gender equity, community access, and mental health support.
- The need to adapt and respond to the challenges and opportunities posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted and transformed the sport landscape, and which has created new demands and expectations for NSOs and athletes.
- The value of investing in sport, which contributes to the health, well-being, and happiness of Canadians, as well as to the social, economic, and cultural development of Canada, and which showcases Canada’s identity, values, and achievements on the world stage.
The appeal and the vision
The COC and the CPC said that they hope that the federal government will recognize and support their request for an additional $104-million in funding, and that they will work with them to ensure that the Canadian sport system receives the funding it deserves and needs. They said that they believe that Canadians deserve a sport system that is safe, inclusive, and barrier-free, and that is properly resourced and equipped to deliver quality and accessible sport programs and services, from playground to podium. They said that they envision a sport system that is:
- Safe and respectful, where athletes and sport participants are protected from abuse, harassment, and discrimination, and where they are supported by a culture of ethics, integrity, and accountability.
- Inclusive and diverse, where sport reflects and embraces the diversity of Canada, and where sport provides opportunities and pathways for everyone, regardless of their background, identity, or ability.
- Performance and excellence, where athletes and sport organizations are empowered and enabled to pursue and achieve their goals and dreams, and where sport fosters a spirit of excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
- Development and growth, where sport promotes and enhances the physical, mental, and social health and well-being of Canadians, and where sport contributes and adds value to the national and global community.
