Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced plans to overhaul funding for Canadian athletes, with a focus on addressing the issue in the next six months. This announcement coincides with the imminent release of the final report from a federal commission on the future of Canadian sport.
Carney revealed this information to a gathering of Canadian athletes in Holmenkollen, located north of Oslo, Norway, where they are participating in the International Ski Federation Nordic World Cup. He emphasized the importance of involving organizers and stakeholders to ensure proper support for athletes at all levels, from grassroots to elite.
In an interview with CBC News, Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden expressed the government’s commitment to harnessing the power of sports to strengthen Canada, emphasizing the need to support athletes throughout their careers and value their contributions.
The Future of Sport in Canada Commission, established in 2023 to investigate systemic abuse and human rights violations in Canadian sports, is set to release its final report. A preliminary report from the commission highlighted the urgent need for increased funding for National Sport Organizations (NSOs) and national Para sport organizations, citing a lack of resources that have not kept pace with inflation or growing demands.
The commission recommended that the federal government boost core funding for NSOs, streamline sources of funding, develop a long-term funding strategy, and enhance the application process for federal funding. It also pointed out issues of abuse within the Canadian sports system and emphasized the importance of fostering a culture that values respect, diversity, and well-being alongside athletic success.
The final report from the commission is scheduled for release on March 24.