Question Period Note: Gender Equity in Sport

Canadian women and girls continue to face barriers to full participation and representation in the Canadian sport system.

• Our government is committed to fostering an environment where girls and women can safely and fairly engage in sport at all ages and levels. In support of this, we recently announced renewed funding of $25.3 million over three years for gender equity, diversity and inclusion in sport.

• Sport Canada’s mission is to enhance opportunities for all Canadians to participate and excel in sport regardless of age, ability, race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. This includes supporting initiatives aimed at attracting and retaining girls, women, and equity-deserving people in sport with the goal of a more welcoming, safe and inclusive Canadian sport experience.

• Women and girls typically report more barriers to sport and participate at lower rates than men and boys.
• Through Budget 2018, the Government of Canada set a target to achieve gender equality in sport at every level by 2035 and provided an initial $30 million over three years.
• In October 2022, the Government of Canada announced $25.3 million in new funding to remove barriers and improve inclusivity for equity-deserving people in sport, including women and girls, Indigenous peoples, persons with a disability, Black and racialized people, 2SLGBTQI+ Canadians and newcomers to Canada. Funding will be used to:
o Increase the number of women in coaching, officiating, and leadership positions;
o Provide more opportunities for women and girls to participate in sport;
o Enhance the data collection and research necessary for decision making; and,
o Support activities that expand efforts to include other demographic groups that are underrepresented in sport.
• On June 14, 2023, the Standing Committee on Women and Girls (FEWO) presented Report 7: Time to Listen to Survivors: Taking Action Towards Creating a Safe Sport Environment for all Athletes in Canada to the House of Commons. After seven months of study on the topic of women and girls in sport, the report lists 24 recommendations for Government of Canada action. The Department of Canadian Heritage is currently preparing the Government of Canada response to the report.

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