Question Period Note: Federal support for the sport sector through COVID-19

On May 8, 2020, the Minister of Canadian Heritage announced the details of the new COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations. The $500 million Emergency Support Fund provides additional temporary support for cultural, heritage and sport organizations. The sport sector was allocated $72 million to ensure that sport organizations can continue contributing to their sector in the future.

• Our Government allocated $72 million to an Emergency Support Fund for sport, beginning with $34.5 million distributed to 83 national level sport organizations based on identified needs.
• An additional $32.5 million was allocated through existing Bilateral Agreements to all 13 provinces and territories. This support will help up to 700 organizations across Canada, including Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies.
• And finally, Emergency Support Funding of $5 million was allocated directly to amateur athletes to help address impacts caused by the cancellation of national and international training opportunities and competitive events, and the postponement of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

• The COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations is being implemented to complement economic measures already announced by the Government of Canada. This fund will help organizations ensure that they can continue contributing to their sector in the future. Out of this $500 million fund, $72 million was allocated to the sport sector as follows:
o Sport Support Program $34.5 million: National level sport organizations (NSO, MSO, CSC and Other Supporting Initiatives) already receiving funding, received up to 25 percent of the amount of funding received in the most recent funding cycle (reference level; enhanced excellence; next generation) based on identified needs.
o Athlete Assistance Program ($5 million): Emergency funding will be used to address complications in the awarding of athlete cards due to effects of the COVID-19 virus on the cancellation of national and international training opportunities and competitive events. Some supplementary support may be provided to cover expenses incurred by athletes in the context of COVID-19. Flexibility will also be provided to National Sport Organizations to make adjustments to carding criteria. This is intended to accommodate for the postponement of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the lack of qualification opportunities for athletes.
o Bilateral agreements with the provinces and territories ($32.5 million): Top-up funding will be distributed to 13 provinces and territories based on the number of provincial-territorial sport organizations supported by each jurisdiction.
• The Sport Support Program’s 2020–21 budget is $178.9 million. It supports opportunities for all Canadians to participate in sport and the development of the Canadian sport system. Funding is provided to eligible organizations for programming that is aligned with the goals of the Canadian Sport Policy (CSP).
• The CSP sets direction for the period of 2012 to 2022 for all governments, institutions and organizations that are committed to realizing the positive impacts of sport on individuals, communities and society. The CSP encourages the development of new partnerships with local and national, domestic and international, sport and non-sport partners. The CSP contributes to excellence; enhanced education and skill development; improved health and wellness; increased civic pride, engagement and cohesion; and increased economic development and prosperity.
• The Athlete Assistance Program’s 2020–21 budget is $33 million. Carded athletes receive funding for living and training expenses, and are eligible for tuition support to further their education. Over 250 of these athletes are Paralympic athletes.
• The Emergency Support Fund will, as much as possible, respect the intent of the current Athlete Assistance Program Policies and Procedures with some allowed flexibilities to National Sport Organizations in the application of their carding criteria and nominations for the 2020 and 2021 carding cycles.
• All currently eligible sport disciplines (winter/summer/Olympic/Paralympic/non-Olympic/non-Paralympic) would be eligible to access the Emergency Support Funds.

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