The investment will help boost accessible local organized sports and remove barriers to participation in sports programs. The full list of recipients nationally will be announced this summer.
OTTAWA, ON, June 15, 2022 /CNW/ – Removing barriers and increasing sporting participation for underrepresented populations is a priority for the government of Canada.
To support organized sport at municipal level, the Honorable Pascale St-Onge, Minister for Sport and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the regions of Quebecand Adam van KoeverdenParliamentary Secretary to the Ministers of Health and Sport, today announced the first two national organizations to receive funding from the Community Sport for All initiative: Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities ($6,858,000) and KidSport Canada ($4,430,000).
Community-based groups are invited to submit their proposals to Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities to receive funding for their community-based projects. KidSport Canada’s regular grants program provides community sports organizations with funds to help families in need with their children’s registration fees for community sports programs. Funding will be distributed to community-based groups as early as this summer. The proposed activities will address barriers to participation in sport, particularly among black, indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQQIA+, low-income and newcomers, and people with disabilities.
It is important to note that Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and KidSport Canada are the first two recipients of national grants to be announced. Additional opportunities for community-based groups to apply for grants will be available shortly as all recipients will be announced nationally this summer. The role of recipients at the national level is to redistribute funds to community-based groups.
As announced in Budget 2021, up to 80 million dollars spread over two years across the country. The investment will help boost accessible local organized sports and remove barriers to participation in sports programs.
quotes
“Every Canadian should have access to quality opportunities for sport and physical activity. With the funding of the Community Sport for All initiative announced today, our government is reaffirming its commitment to building stronger and healthier communities across the country. The transformative power of sport plays an important role in achieving this goal. It boosts self-esteem and leadership skills and allows people to grow and thrive – physically, emotionally and socially.”
– The Honorable Pascale St-Onge, Minister for Sport and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the regions of Quebec
“Canadians depend on physical activity and recreation for their physical and mental health, community, belonging and fun! But there are too many barriers and hurdles between some Canadians and their favorite pastimes. We are committed to supporting our neighbors’ activities to help them live their healthiest, happiest lives — and these investments support those goals.”
—Adam van Koeverden, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and the Minister for Sport
“Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities appreciates Sport Canada’s incredible support, which will help us continue to give children across the country equal access to sports and recreation. Through our extensive national network of partners, we already have plans to distribute 1 million dollars of these funds to fund-earning groups in all provinces and territories by the end of June. In addition, Jumpstart offsets Sport Canada’s investment $6.8 million from our own resources, so that in total we will help more than 1,000 organizations and up to 95,000 children.”
– Nadir Patel, CEO of Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities
“KidSport Canada thanks Sport Canada and the Honorable Pascale St-Onge for recognizing our efforts to remove barriers for children wanting to play sports Canada where all children have the opportunity to play sports because we know that it develops their social skills, mental health and physical well-being. The reality is that the cost keeps one in three Canadian children away from organized sport, particularly children from marginalized or remote communities. With 166 chapters across the country, we provide grants to cover their registration and equipment fees. “So all kids can play!” Funding is available through our KidSport Scholarship Program at: kidsportcanada.ca.”
– Greg Ingalls, Chief Executive Officer, KidSport Canada
Fast Facts
The Community Sport for All initiative aims to rebuild and increase participation rates in sport, particularly among black, indigenous, racist, 2SLGBTQQIA+, low-income and newcomers, and people with disabilities. Projects will adhere to the following principles:
- Payable: The projects are carried out at minimal to no cost to the participants.
- Result-oriented: Projects are conducted in a way that increases participation in sport and retention of communities that deserve justice, ultimately driving behavior change.
- Focused on organized sport: Although other activities may be included (e.g. developing movement skills), the primary activity must be organized sport and adhere to safe sport practices.
- Green: Project implementation should have minimal or positive environmental impact.
- Accessible: Projects need to be tailored to groups of equals, but need not be exclusionary and can be open to all and should allow for a wide range of athletic ability.
- Available: Projects should aim to be implemented in underserved communities and to achieve regional diversity.
Community-based groups are invited to contact Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and KidSport Canada to learn how to submit their proposals for funding.
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities is a national charity dedicated to ensuring equal access to sports and recreation for children in need. With an extensive national network of more than 1,000 grantees and 289 chapters, Jumpstart helps eligible families cover registration, transportation and equipment costs, and provides select organizations with funding for recreational infrastructure and programs. Powered by the Canadian Tire Family of Companies, Jumpstart has offered Canadian children more than two million ways to get started since 2005.
KidSport is a national non-profit organization funded by the Government of Canada, which helps remove financial barriers that prevent children from playing sports by providing assistance with registration fees and sports equipment for children under the age of 18. Through a confidential application process, grants are administered across KidSport’s 166 community chapters to enable them to play a season of organized sports.
Related Links
Community initiative sport for all – sport promotion program
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities
KidSport Canada
Budget 2021 – A stimulus plan for jobs, growth and resilience
SOURCE Canadian Heritage
For more information: For more information (media only) please contact: Ariane Joazard-Bélizaire, Press Officer, Office of the Minister of Sport and Minister in Charge of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Quebec Regions, [email protected]; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, 1-819-994-9101, 1-866-569-6155, [email protected]