$755M over five years for National Sport Organizations to drive grassroots participation, high-performance success, and international event hosting
OTTAWA, ONTARIO – Speed Skating Canada joins the Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee and rest of the Canadian sport system in commending the Government of Canada for their landmark investment in sport outlined in the Spring Economic Update. This marks an important turning point for sport in Canada and a meaningful recognition of its impact on communities across the country.
This generational investment of $755M over five years in building Canada as a sporting nation represents a significant and necessary step toward strengthening Canada’s sport system. This funding includes $118M in ongoing support for National Sport Organizations (NSOs) and athletes, and will drive grassroots participation, high-performance success, and international event hosting. This investment will ensure athletes have the resources they need to represent Canada on the world stage, and that more Canadians are able to experience the benefits of sport in communities across the country.
For years, Canada’s NSOs, including Speed Skating Canada, have delivered extraordinary impact with limited resources, forced to make difficult decisions impacting athlete development and accessibility. With this new and ongoing investment, the country now has the opportunity to rebuild a modern, aligned, and well-supported system, ensuring more resources flow directly to athletes from grassroots to high performance.
Joe Morissette, Chief Executive Officer, Speed Skating Canada“This is more than a simple funding increase; it’s a generational investment in the Canadian sport system — one that is very encouraging for Speed Skating Canada and for the broader speed skating system. The government’s funding priorities align well with many of the things we have been working toward as an organization over the past few years, including system alignment, participation growth, safe sport, event hosting, and strengthening the pathway from grassroots to high performance.”
The COC and CPC, alongside Team Canada athletes and our many sport and commercial partners, have long championed the need for increased federal investment in sport. This milestone recognizes the value of a safe and inclusive sport system that is properly structured and properly resourced. It also advances the vision outlined in the Future of Sport in Canada Commission’s Final Report, which called urgently for renewed investment and long-term modernization. This investment meets the moment at a time when Canadians need the benefits of sport more than ever.
We extend our sincere thanks to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Minister of Finance and National Revenue François-Philippe Champagne for their belief in sport as a tool for building a stronger Canada. We especially wish to thank Secretary of State (Sport) Adam van Koeverden, for his tireless efforts to strengthen the role sport plays as a driver of national pride, community connection, and a healthy Canada. As an Olympic champion himself, Secretary of State van Koeverden has long championed a safe, accessible sport system that gives more opportunities and access for all Canadians to participate in Sport, and offers more support for Canadian athletes as they inspire the nation.
Joe Morissette, Chief Executive Officer, Speed Skating Canada“The commitment from the Government of Canada is significant, but what stands out most is the consistent, values-driven leadership from Adam van Koeverden. His advocacy for sport at all levels, our athletes and National Sport Organizations has been clear, steady, and impactful — and this investment reflects that. Thank you as well to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Minister François-Philippe Champagne for recognizing the role sport plays in our country’s success and identity.”
We look forward to a continued partnership with the federal government and other members of the Canadian sport community to deliver on a modernized, strong and safe sport system that sees more Canadians inspired by the performances of Canadian athletes and experiencing the benefits of sport. This is a monumental day for a stronger Canada through sport.