October 19/10 18:39 pm - Federal Government Confirms Summer Sport Funding

Posted by Editoress on 10/19/10
 

From the Minister of State (Sport):

Today, the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport), attended the Team Sport Summit and confirmed funding to 44 Canadian summer sports organizations.

"Canada's summer sport athletes are an enormous source of pride for all Canadians, and our Government is proud to support and promote their dedication and pursuit of excellence," said Minister of State Lunn. "We saw how well they competed at the recent Commonwealth Games, and as our athletes and coaches prepare for future Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games, this investment will continue to give them the tools they need in their pursuit of excellence."

"The Government of Canada continues to lead the way in providing the financial support Canadian athletes require to Own the Podium," said Alex Baumann, Chief Executive Officer of Own the Podium. "The ongoing commitment to investing in high-performance sport, which now stretches to support the nation's top summer athletes, ensures the Government of Canada will continue to serve as the engine that drives athlete performance on the road to London 2012."

The Government of Canada is the largest single contributor to sport in this country and strongly supports participation and physical activity among people of all ages and abilities. Budget 2010 provided funding of $61 million to the Federal Sport Support Program - $6 million of which will go to summer Olympic and Paralympic team sports. Funding for sport has increased by 14 percent over last year, with funding specific to summer team sports increasing by 45 percent.

The Sport Support Program (SSP) is the primary funding vehicle for initiatives associated with the delivery of the Canadian Sport Policy. The SSP funding is aimed at developing athletes and coaches at the highest international levels; providing sound technically-based sport programming for all athletes; increasing the number of Canadians from all segments of society involved in sport; and advancing Canadian interests and values in Canada and abroad.