Secretary of State for Sport Adam van Koeverden announced the investment on Thursday under the government’s Building Canada Strong agenda, describing sport as a tool for bringing communities together and helping Canadian athletes compete internationally.
According to the funding breakdown published by Canadian Heritage, the 62 organizations will receive a combined C$59.92 million in supplementary funding, bringing their total Sport Support Program allocations for 2026–27 to C$156.07 million.
The money is intended to help national governing bodies increase access to sport, deliver quality programmes, develop athletes and strengthen safe-sport and integrity measures. The government says the additional funding will provide organizations with greater capacity to support participants from community-level programmes through to elite competition.
The announcement forms part of the federal government’s broader C$1-billion commitment to Canada’s sport system, which includes investment in participation, high-performance athletes, major sporting events and sports infrastructure.
Major sports organizations among the beneficiaries
Several prominent Canadian sporting bodies are set to receive multimillion-dollar supplementary allocations under the programme.
Canoe Kayak Canada will receive C$2.44 million in additional funding, taking its total Sport Support Program allocation for 2026–27 to approximately C$5.56 million. Canada Basketball has been allocated C$2.34 million in supplementary support, bringing its annual programme funding to about C$5.46 million.
The Canadian Rugby Union will receive C$2.815 million in additional funding, while Alpine Canada will receive C$2.775 million. The Canadian Snowboard Federation is allocated C$2.86 million in supplementary support.
Other beneficiaries include Athletics Canada, Swimming Canada, Hockey Canada, the Canadian Soccer Association, Speed Skating Canada and Wheelchair Basketball Canada.
The published funding schedule provides individual allocations for each of the 62 organizations, offering a clearer picture of how the federal government intends to strengthen sporting programmes across different disciplines.
Grassroots participation and athlete development in focus
The federal investment is designed to support sport at multiple levels, from introducing more children and young people to organized activities to improving the preparation of athletes representing Canada internationally.
Under the government’s wider sport funding framework, C$660 million over five years, alongside C$110 million in ongoing annual funding, has been earmarked to help sport organizations expand participation and strengthen the system.
A further C$45 million over five years and C$8 million in ongoing annual funding is intended to support athletes and the next generation of high-performance competitors, including improved mental health support.
The government has also committed C$50 million over five years to help bring more major sporting events to Canada, with an emphasis on projects that leave lasting benefits for host communities.
Safe sport and integrity remain priorities
The funding announcement comes amid broader federal efforts to address safety, governance and accountability challenges in Canadian sport.
On October 7, the government announced C$19.2 million in 2026–27 support for safe sport, anti-doping and competition-manipulation prevention initiatives. That package includes funding for Sport Integrity Canada and the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada to strengthen participant protections and uphold fair competition.
The government has said that building public confidence in sport requires coordinated action, stronger safeguards and accountability throughout the system.
The latest allocations to national sport organizations are therefore part of a wider effort to create more accessible and inclusive sporting environments while ensuring Canadian athletes have the support needed to perform at the highest level.
With the additional funding now announced, the focus will turn to how effectively the organizations translate the investment into stronger community programmes, improved athlete pathways and safer sporting environments across Canada.