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Request for Additional Funding for Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Athletes
With the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympic Games fast approaching, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) have put forth a joint budget request to the federal government, seeking an additional $104 million in funding. The aim of this request is to bolster support for Canadian athletes and enhance the overall strength and safety of the country’s sport system.
The impetus behind this funding appeal stems from a recent study conducted by Deloitte, which assessed the financial well-being of Canadian National Sports Organizations (NSOs). The results of the study underscored the pressing need for increased investment in NSOs to ensure they can effectively fulfill their core functions of assisting athletes, provincial federations, and clubs nationwide.
The COC and CPC stress that the current deficit of $104 million has been exacerbated by a variety of factors, including nearly two decades of inflation since the last funding boost in 2005, the expiration of issue-specific funding amounting to $57 million, and the rising operational costs faced by NSOs due to heightened demands from various stakeholders.
According to the Deloitte report, NSOs are grappling with the challenge of accomplishing more with fewer resources at their disposal. This predicament not only jeopardizes the significant strides made in areas such as safe sport practices, gender equality, community engagement, and mental health support but also places the overall integrity of the sport system at risk.
Recognizing the critical need for a secure, inclusive, and well-supported sport environment in Canada, the COC and CPC are urging the federal government to take swift action in ensuring that NSOs receive the necessary funding to advance the country’s sporting landscape. David Shoemaker, the COC’s Chief Executive Officer and secretary-general, emphasized the urgency of the situation by warning that without immediate financial intervention, athletes could face challenges in the coming year and a half.
Shoemaker states: “We have known this was a growing issue but seeing the numbers in black and white really highlight that we’re on the brink of a crisis. NSOs cannot continue on this trajectory. They can’t run deficits, and if nothing changes difficult decisions will have to be made.”
In a similar vein, Karen O’Neill, CEO of the CPC, emphasized the impact of insufficient funding on Paralympic and Para sport initiatives, noting that further investment is essential to sustain the progress made in recent years. She stressed the pivotal role played by National Sport Organizations in fostering a culture of excellence within Para sport and underscored the need for additional resources to support athletes and facilitate their success.
O’Neill adds: “Paralympic sport and Para sport have made so many advances in recent years, truly illustrating the power and importance of inclusion, however this progress will be significantly stalled without further investment in the Canadian sport system. The National Sport Organizations are critical to the development of Para sport across Canada, and in order to foster a healthy culture of excellence and provide more athletes with the opportunities and tools to succeed, it is clear more resources are needed.”
In conclusion, the call for increased government funding to support Canadian Olympic and Paralympic athletes reflects a shared commitment by the COC and CPC to uphold the values of safety, inclusivity, and excellence within the nation’s sporting community. It is imperative that the federal government act swiftly to provide the necessary resources that will enable NSOs to continue their vital work and ensure that athletes of all abilities have the opportunity to thrive in a secure and supportive sporting environment.
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