Question Period Note: Sport Canada funding programs

The Sport Support Program supports the development of the Canadian sport system and provides funding opportunities for all Canadians, through eligible organizations, to participate in sport. The Athlete Assistance Program provides direct financial support to over 1,800 Canadian high performance (carded) athletes, across more than 94 sport disciplines. The Hosting Program supports events such as the Canada Games, the North American Indigenous Games, and international single sport events hosted in Canada. 

In 2024-25, the Sport Support Program will provide up to
$190 million to eligible organizations to support the development of Canadian athletes and coaches and provide funding opportunities for all Canadians including those in Indigenous communities, to participate in sport.

The Athlete Assistance Program will provide $40 million in 2024-25 to offset living, training and education costs to more than 1,800 Canadian athletes so that they can remain in high performance sport. 

In 2024-25, the Hosting Program will provide up to $22 million to support the Canada Games, the North American Indigenous Games, and the hosting of international single sport events in Canada.

Sport Support Program 

The current 2024-25 Sport Support Program budget is
$177 million plus the Budget 2024 announcements of $8 million for Safe Sport and $5 million for community sport programming for a total of $190 million.

The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for athletes, from amateur to Olympian and Paralympian. Budget 2024 proposes to provide $16 million over two years, starting in 2024-25 to prevent and address maltreatment, support those with concussions and mental health issues, and advance inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility in sport.

Budget 2024 proposes to provide $15 million over two years starting in 2024-25 to support community sport programming to make sports more accessible for young Canadians and ensure every child has the opportunity to participate.

The Sport Support Program supports 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.

The Sport Support Program is delivered through these components:

National Sport Organizations (NSO)

National Multisport Service Organizations

Canadian Sport Centres

Community Sport for All Initiative

Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities

Federal-Provincial/Territorial Bilateral Agreements on sport participation

Athlete Assistance Program 

The Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) provides direct financial support to more than 1,800 Canadian high performance (carded) athletes, across more than 94 sport disciplines. 

The 2024-25 AAP budget is 33 million dollars plus an additional 7 million dollars from the 2024 budget announcement bringing it to a total of 40 million dollars for the program.  

The gender breakdown of the AAP athletes is approximately 50/50. 

Carded athletes receive funding for living and training expenses and are eligible for tuition support.  

NSOs are responsible to produce and publish their own AAP compliant, sport specific carding criteria that athletes must meet to be nominated for AAP support.  

Hosting Program 

The 2024-25 Hosting Program’s budget is $22 million. 

The Hosting Program delivers economic, social and cultural benefits to Canadian communities through four delivery components: International Single Sport Events, the International Multisport Games for Aboriginal Peoples and Persons with a Disability, the Canada Games, and the Major Multi-Sport Games.

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