Latest news with #AdamvanKoeverden
CBC
4 days ago
- Business
- CBC
'At the brink of falling apart': Sport organizations hope new government heeds urgent call for funding
At the end of a successful Summer Olympics in Paris last year, David Shoemaker issued a stark warning. Canadians took home 27 medals from France after standout performances in swimming, beach volleyball and track and field, to name a few. The Canadian Olympic Committee CEO said he believed Canada has the potential to do more, but that he worried the athletes' full potential won't be unlocked without more resources from the federal government. "I worry about performance in Milano Cortina and certainly for LA [in 2028]," Shoemaker said that day. "There hasn't been an increase in the core funding of the national sports organizations, the 62 federally-funded national sports organizations, in 19 years. They are having to do so much more with so much less, including the demands upon them to create a safe and barrier-free healthy sports system that we all want so badly." WATCH | Canada's new secretary of state for sport talks transforming Canada's sport landscape: Canada's new secretary for sport talks about transforming Canada's sports landscape 12 hours ago Duration 1:29 Fast forward almost 10 months and Canadians have a new government, led by a new Prime Minister, Mark Carney. The new person in charge of the sports portfolio is a familiar face in the Canadian sports world: Adam van Koeverden, the retired kayaker who owns four Olympic medals, including gold in the K-1 500-metre from the 2004 Summer Games in Athens. There's no minister of sport in this government. Koeverden is the secretary of state for sport, part of a two-tiered cabinet created by Carney. But much will still be expected from the former athlete. He's tasked with addressing funding demands from sport organizations. The magic number Shoemaker has cited is a $144 million increase to make up for two decades without a significant boost to core funding, now appearing as millions of dollars worth of deficits on sports organizations' books. He'll also have to navigate what's been described as a safe-sport crisis across the country. The Future of Sport in Canada Commission will report back in March, and van Koeverden, who gave his own recommendations to the panel earlier this year, will guide how the government will respond to its findings. Perhaps even bigger than all of that is preserving what sport means to Canadians at a time when that identity is under threat like never before. It's a tone both the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee struck in a joint statement released after the new cabinet was named in May. "As we face an unprecedented crisis of national identity, this portfolio will be critical in achieving this government's urgent nation building priorities," the statement said. "Sport unites Canadians like nothing else can – bridging geography, language, and politics." Fundraising for training When it comes to nation building, Nathan Bombrys sees a role for rugby. The Canadian women's rugby union team is ranked second in the world heading into the sport's World Cup in England, which begins in August. Bombrys, who is Rugby Canada's CEO, believes the Canadian women have a shot at winning the tournament. "If you follow the sport of rugby, it's literally planting a flag where it doesn't belong, and we have a team capable of doing that," he said. But the women's team has been fundraising just to pay for proper training. It would go toward things like holding training camps and accessing mental performance coaching. Even if they're successful in reaching the $1-million fundraising goal, Bombrys expects Canada will have one of the lowest budgets in the entire tournament. Performing well at that tournament, which is one of the biggest in the sporting world, would certainly fall under the nation-building category. "I'd like to see this government really appreciate the value that sport brings to the nation, to Canada, and really understand that," he said. Rugby Canada is also looking to see more corporate sponsors involved in the sport. Without more money, the future looks different. Bombrys said he's already having to make difficult decisions that affect athletes and programming. "Will we still play on the global stage? Probably," he said. "But wouldn't we like to be competitive and represent Canada well? Without that support, it's going to be harder and harder to do that." Staying afloat For Olympic athletes across Canada, funding is the number one issue, according to Philippe Marquis, a two-time Olympian in freestyle skiing who serves as the chair of the Canadian Olympic Committee's Athletes' Commission. Marquis was happy to see van Koeverden receive the sports file, and like Shoemaker, he feels a sense of urgency. "Sport organizations are at the brink of falling apart with the lack of funding and the resources," he said. "Everyone is tight." The way he sees it, national sport organizations and athletes are both trying to survive. For sport organizations, like Rugby Canada, it's having the resources to properly structure and deliver sport to athletes. For athletes, it's trying to attend camps and access proper training, all while buying food and paying rent. Having or not having that money could determine whether an athlete stays in sport or walks away. The 2024 federal budget increased the monthly living and training allowances under the Athlete Assistance Program, commonly known as carding, by about 23 per cent, retroactive to April 2024. "Was it sufficient? Not necessarily, and it has to be indexed with inflation and obviously what's going on around the world with cost of living," Marquis said. A familiar face The sports portfolio is nothing new to van Koeverden. Beyond his own career as an athlete, van Koeverden was Parliamentary secretary to ministers responsible for sport over two Parliaments. "It's been a joy and a huge privilege, but it's also been tough," van Koeverden said a few days into his new job. "It's a lot of work and I'm embracing all of it. But sometimes it's hard when you achieve a goal because you recognize that there's just so many expectations and work that you've got to do in order to achieve the good outcomes, the reason that you get involved." Exactly what Carney would like his government to accomplish when it comes to sport isn't yet clear. The topic didn't appear in the Liberal platform, nor has there been a mandate letter released for the sport portfolio. Van Koeverden said he's encouraged by how frequently Carney, who was a hockey goaltender in college, talks about sport. "I'm really, really excited because Mark Carney has clearly articulated his love and his passion for sport, physical activity and recreation in Canada," van Koeverden said. Whether Carney's government will increase funding of national sport organizations and multisport service organizations — such as the Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee and U Sports — to the level that leaders like Shoemaker are calling for remains to be seen. But van Koeverden agreed he would advocate for an increase in core funding for national sport organizations, describing it as "critical." He also agreed that carding funding should be indexed with inflation, even though budgeting for that could be "a bit ambiguous." But just as important is funding the bottom of the pyramid, van Koeverden said, which helps get more people, including kids, playing sport. In his mind, funding sport at a grassroot level will help foster more Sidney Crosbys and Christine Sinclairs at the top of the pyramid. But keeping the most talented athletes on the ice, field or court, and helping them achieve their potential, is also part of the puzzle. "We continue to advocate to the federal government for an increase in funding [for national sport organizations]," Shoemaker told CBC Sports during the election campaign this past spring. "We think we're making a strong case. We think we're getting through. But only time will tell."
Toronto Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Olympic champion kayaker Adam van Koeverden steps to helm of Canadian sport
Olympic champion paddler Adam van Koeverden is the latest politician to step into the leadership of sport in Canada. The MP for Burlington North-Milton West in Ontario was appointed Secretary of State for Sport when Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his first cabinet last month.
Hamilton Spectator
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Liberal incumbent Adam van Koeverden wins Burlington North—Milton West
Burlington North—Milton West is staying red. Liberal incumbent Adam van Koeverden won against second-time Conservative candidate Nadeem Akbar. A new riding created in 2023 by redistribution of federal electoral districts, it includes about half of urban Milton from west of Ontario Street South, a northern section of Burlington from roughly Upper Middle Road, and a sizeable section of rural Milton in the north extending to Highway 7. The former Olympic sprint kayaker's win Monday follows his 2021 and 2019 victories, when he captured more than 50 per cent of the vote. Meanwhile, Akbar, an IT consultant specializing in infrastructure and cybersecurity, got just 33.1 per cent of the vote in the riding's 2021 race. The race also included the NDP's Naveed Ahmed and the People's Party of Canada Charles Zach.
Global News
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Canada election 2025: Burlington North—Milton West
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook Burlington North—Milton West is a federal riding located in Ontario. This new federal riding includes parts of the riding previously known as Milton. Voters will decide who will represent Burlington North—Milton West in Ontario during the upcoming Canadian election on April 28, 2025. Visit this page on election night for a complete breakdown of up to the minute results. Candidates Liberal: Adam van Koeverden (Incumbent) Conservative: Nadeem Akbar NDP: Naveed Ahmed People's Party: Charles Zach
Associated Press
21-03-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Government of Canada invests in sport to break down barriers, boost participation, and build stronger and healthier communities
Thirteen national-level organizations are receiving funding through the Community Sport for All Initiative TORONTO, March 21, 2025 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to building stronger, healthier communities across the country. The transformative power of sport plays an important role in achieving this goal. Today, Parliamentary Secretary Adam van Koeverden announced an investment of $10.5 million over two years to 13 national-level organizations through the Community Sport for All Initiative. The funding will support local initiatives that remove barriers to participation in sport, specifically for underrepresented groups such as Black, Indigenous and racialized communities, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+ people, persons with low incomes, seniors and newcomers. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Culture and Identity, Parks Canada and Quebec Lieutenant, during a visit to the Toronto Metropolitan University's Mattamy Athletic Centre. Parliamentary Secretary van Koeverden heard about the work of organizations that are receiving funding to help create opportunities for everyone to participate in sport. The role of the national-level recipients is to disburse funding to community-level organizations through an open call for applications. Quotes 'Sport plays an important role in building self-esteem and leadership skills, which allow people to grow and thrive physically, emotionally and socially. This is why everyone deserves the opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity.' —The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Culture and Identity, Parks Canada and Quebec Lieutenant 'Sport is the best vehicle for a happier, healthier, stronger, safer and more resilient Canada. Also, nothing makes us prouder than celebrating a big win from Team Canada, or enjoying our beautiful outdoors. The Government of Canada is pleased to support organizations that help make sure that sport continues to be inclusive and accessible, so that every Canadian can enjoy all the benefits of being active.' —Adam van Koeverden, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and to the Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada 'For 20 years, Jumpstart has been dedicated to driving meaningful change and opportunity for Canadian kids through the power of sport and play. Today, guided by the invaluable insights and needs of young Canadians, we continue to expand our work to ensure more young people have access to the boundless benefits of sport and recreation. Bolstered by the generous support from the Government of Canada through the Community Sport for All Initiative, Jumpstart can continue to make a difference in the lives of kids coast to coast and help build a safe, accessible and inclusive sports landscape in Canada.' —Marco Di Buono, President, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities Quick Facts The Community Sport for All Initiative supports national-level organizations that ensure local organized sport opportunities are available by removing barriers to underrepresented groups. Budget 2024 provided $15 million over two years for the Community Sport for All Initiative, which includes $5 million in 2024–25 and $10 million in 2025–26. A total of $4.5 million remains to be invested in additional projects for 2025–26. At least 20 percent of the overall Community Sport for All Initiative budget is allocated to activities for persons with a disability. The funded projects are guided by the following principles: Affordable: Projects will be delivered with minimal to no cost to participants. Results-oriented: Projects will be delivered in such a way as to increase participation and retention of underrepresented communities and, ultimately, drive behavioural change. Focused on organized sport: While other activities may be included (such as movement and skills development), the primary activity must be organized sport and must adhere to safe sport practices. Green: Projects should produce minimal or positive environmental impact. Accessible: Projects must be tailored to the needs of one or more of the underrepresented groups but can be open to all and should allow for a wide range of athletic ability. Available: Projects should be focused on underserved communities and achieve regional diversity. As the largest single investor in Canada's amateur sport system, the Government of Canada is proud to support Canadian athletes, the national and multisport organizations that support them, and initiatives to host international sporting events. Data Tables National-level organizations funded 2024–2026 Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities $2,500,000 ParticipACTION $1,200,000 Biathlon Canada $660,000 Canadian Cerebral Palsy Sport Association - Boccia $236,000 Field Hockey Canada $800,000 Judo Canada $504,000 Sail Canada $190,000 KidSport Canada $2,203,500 Cycling Canada $720,000 Basketball Canada $367,500 Speed Skating Canada $220,000 Nordiq Canada $600,000 Wheelchair Basketball Canada $299,000 Funding total $10,500,000 SOURCE Canadian Heritage
