Latest news with #FutureofSportinCanadaCommission
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'At the brink of falling apart': Sport organizations hope new government heeds urgent call for funding
Olympic gold medallist Adam van Koeverden, the newly minted secretary of state for sport, must navigate an urgent call for funding from sport organizations and what has been described as a safe-sport crisis. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press - image credit) 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. Advertisement 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: Fast forward almost 10 months and Canadians have a new government, led by a new Prime Minister, Mark Carney. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. The Canadian women's rugby sevens team won silver at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press) 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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." Canadian Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission chair Philippe Marquis, pictured in 2019, says funding is the number-one issue for Olympic athletes. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press) 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement "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. Canadian Olympic Committee CEO David Shoemaker issued a stark warning at the end of last year's Summer Olympics: without additional funding to sport organizations, Canada's performance at the Games could falter. (Tijana Martin/The Canadian Press) Van Koeverden said he's encouraged by how frequently Carney, who was a hockey goaltender in college, talks about sport. Advertisement "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." "Sport Canada does a great job making sure that all our national sport organizations get funding, but we've got more people in Canada now," he said. "Sports are more expensive. So are flights for national teams." Advertisement 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
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Future of Sport in Canada Commission opens public survey ahead of summit
The Future of Sport in Canada Commission launched its public survey Monday to gather opinions on safe sport and improving the sport system ahead of its fall summit. Among the first questions posed: have you witnessed or experienced maltreatment in sport, and how big of a problem do you think maltreatment is in organized sport in Canada? Former Olympic skier Allison Forsyth, a founder of Generation Safe and now safe sport officer for Canada Soccer, says while she believes the commission is doing important work, some survey questions assume a level of experience with the national sport system. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Forsyth also asks if the person taking the survey knows the definition of maltreatment under the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport. 'When I'm out here doing my work, there's many people in this country at the grassroots level that don't even know what safe sport means,' Forsyth said. 'The questions in the survey are very good, but very specific. 'If it was sent to the public as their opportunity to contribute to the future of sport in Canada . . . it doesn't do enough to explain to people the foundation of safe sport, what maltreatment is, and what the universal code of conduct is.' The survey is open until August and can be accessed through the website or the commission's social media posts. Forsyth, an survivor of sexual abuse in sport herself, recently completed her International Olympic Committee certification as a Safeguarding Officer in Sport. She's also worked with provincial, university and club sport organizations in Canada, and wanted those levels to be more represented in the survey questions. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'My education and work is the people that matter the most, which is the children in sport at a grassroots level whose parents are entrusting their club to keep their child safe from maltreatment,' Forsyth said. 'If I was a parent, and I am one of high-level hockey players in the youth programs, would I know any of this? The answer, in my opinion, is no because the universal code of conduct to address maltreatment in sport points back to the federal level of sport.' The commission was the among various federal government remedies in response to a wave of maltreatment and abuse reports, both current and historical, that surfaced after the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing. Athletes spoke to parliamentary committees about mental, verbal, physical and sexual abuse, and their of retribution for reporting it. So the commission's two-part questionnaire released Monday 'invites Canadians to share their experiences and perspectives to help shape a safer, more inclusive and accountable sport environment across the country,' the commission said in a statement. 'Participation in the survey offers another opportunity for individuals to contribute to the national dialogue on improving safe sport in Canada and enhancing the overall sport system.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The public survey follows the commission's cross-country consultations in a dozen cities from October to January, when athletes, coaches, officials and sport organizations were invited to participate in writing, or via online submissions and surveys, if they couldn't in person. The options of speaking or writing to the commission closed Monday when the public survey was introduced. The commission headed by Lise Maisonneuve, a former Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice, is expected to produce a preliminary report in August ahead of a two-session national summit Sept. 8-9 and Sept. 11-12 in Ottawa. Former sports minister Carla Qualtrough announced the commission in December, 2023, and the 2024 federal budget earmarked $10.6 million over two years for it to do its work. When Maisonneuve was appointed the commission's head May 9, 2024, the clock began ticking on its stated 18-month mandate to gather information, produce an initial report, hold a summit and provide final recommendations. Maisonneuve was granted an extension to March 31, 2026, for her final report. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 16, 2025.
Toronto Sun
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Future of Sport in Canada Commission opens public survey ahead of summit
Published Jun 16, 2025 • 3 minute read Justice Lise Maisonneuve, who will lead the Future of Sport in Canada Commission, participates in a news conference with Minister of Sport and Physical Activity Carla Qualtrough, at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa, on Thursday, May 9, 2024. The Commission launched a public survey Monday, June 16, 2025, ahead of its summit in late CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Photo by Justin Tang / The Canadian Press The Future of Sport in Canada Commission launched its public survey Monday to gather opinions on safe sport and improving the sport system ahead of its fall summit. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Among the first questions posed: Have you witnessed or experienced maltreatment in sport, and how big of a problem do you think maltreatment is in organized sport in Canada? Former Olympic skier Allison Forsyth, a founder of Generation Safe and now safe sport officer for Canada Soccer, says while she believes the commission is doing important work, some survey questions assume a level of experience with the national sport system. Forsyth also asks if the person taking the survey knows the definition of maltreatment under the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport. 'When I'm out here doing my work, there's many people in this country at the grassroots level that don't even know what safe sport means,' Forsyth said. 'The questions in the survey are very good, but very specific. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'If it was sent to the public as their opportunity to contribute to the future of sport in Canada … it doesn't do enough to explain to people the foundation of safe sport, what maltreatment is, and what the universal code of conduct is.' Read More The survey is open until August and can be accessed through the website or the commission's social media posts. Forsyth, a survivor of sexual abuse in sport, recently completed her International Olympic Committee certification as a safeguarding officer in sport. She's also worked with provincial, university and club sport organizations in Canada, and wanted those levels to be more represented in the survey questions. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'My education and work is the people that matter the most, which is the children in sport at a grassroots level whose parents are entrusting their club to keep their child safe from maltreatment,' Forsyth said. 'If I was a parent, and I am one of high-level hockey players in the youth programs, would I know any of this? The answer, in my opinion, is no because the universal code of conduct to address maltreatment in sport points back to the federal level of sport.' The commission was among the various federal government remedies in response to a wave of maltreatment and abuse reports, both current and historical, that surfaced after the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing. Athletes spoke to parliamentary committees about mental, verbal, physical and sexual abuse, and their of retribution for reporting it. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. So the commission's two-part questionnaire released Monday 'invites Canadians to share their experiences and perspectives to help shape a safer, more inclusive and accountable sport environment across the country,' the commission said in a statement. 'Participation in the survey offers another opportunity for individuals to contribute to the national dialogue on improving safe sport in Canada and enhancing the overall sport system.' The public survey follows the commission's cross-country consultations in a dozen cities from October to January, when athletes, coaches, officials and sport organizations were invited to participate in writing, or via online submissions and surveys, if they couldn't in person. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The options of speaking or writing to the commission closed Monday when the public survey was introduced. The commission headed by Lise Maisonneuve, a former chief justice of the Ontario Court of Justice, is expected to produce a preliminary report in August ahead of a two-session national summit Sept. 8 and 9 and Sept. 11 and 12 in Ottawa. Former sports minister Carla Qualtrough announced the commission in December 2023 and the 2024 federal budget earmarked $10.6 million over two years for it to do its work. When Maisonneuve was appointed the commission's head May 9, 2024, the clock began ticking on its stated 18-month mandate to gather information, produce an initial report, hold a summit and provide final recommendations. Maisonneuve was granted an extension to March 31, 2026, for her final report. Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs Columnists Toronto & GTA Canada
Hamilton Spectator
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Future of Sport in Canada Commission opens public survey ahead of summit
The Future of Sport in Canada Commission launched its public survey Monday to gather opinions on safe sport and improving the sport system ahead of its fall summit. Among the first questions posed: have you witnessed or experienced maltreatment in sport, and how big of a problem do you think maltreatment is in organized sport in Canada? Former Olympic skier Allison Forsyth, a founder of Generation Safe and now safe sport officer for Canada Soccer, says while she believes the commission is doing important work, some survey questions assume a level of experience with the national sport system. Forsyth also asks if the person taking the survey knows the definition of maltreatment under the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport. 'When I'm out here doing my work, there's many people in this country at the grassroots level that don't even know what safe sport means,' Forsyth said. 'The questions in the survey are very good, but very specific. 'If it was sent to the public as their opportunity to contribute to the future of sport in Canada . . . it doesn't do enough to explain to people the foundation of safe sport, what maltreatment is, and what the universal code of conduct is.' The survey is open until August and can be accessed through the website or the commission's social media posts. Forsyth, an survivor of sexual abuse in sport herself, recently completed her International Olympic Committee certification as a Safeguarding Officer in Sport. She's also worked with provincial, university and club sport organizations in Canada, and wanted those levels to be more represented in the survey questions. 'My education and work is the people that matter the most, which is the children in sport at a grassroots level whose parents are entrusting their club to keep their child safe from maltreatment,' Forsyth said. 'If I was a parent, and I am one of high-level hockey players in the youth programs, would I know any of this? The answer, in my opinion, is no because the universal code of conduct to address maltreatment in sport points back to the federal level of sport.' The commission was the among various federal government remedies in response to a wave of maltreatment and abuse reports, both current and historical, that surfaced after the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing. Athletes spoke to parliamentary committees about mental, verbal, physical and sexual abuse, and their of retribution for reporting it. So the commission's two-part questionnaire released Monday 'invites Canadians to share their experiences and perspectives to help shape a safer, more inclusive and accountable sport environment across the country,' the commission said in a statement. 'Participation in the survey offers another opportunity for individuals to contribute to the national dialogue on improving safe sport in Canada and enhancing the overall sport system.' The public survey follows the commission's cross-country consultations in a dozen cities from October to January, when athletes, coaches, officials and sport organizations were invited to participate in writing, or via online submissions and surveys, if they couldn't in person. The options of speaking or writing to the commission closed Monday when the public survey was introduced. The commission headed by Lise Maisonneuve, a former Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice, is expected to produce a preliminary report in August ahead of a two-session national summit Sept. 8-9 and Sept. 11-12 in Ottawa. Former sports minister Carla Qualtrough announced the commission in December, 2023, and the 2024 federal budget earmarked $10.6 million over two years for it to do its work. When Maisonneuve was appointed the commission's head May 9, 2024, the clock began ticking on its stated 18-month mandate to gather information, produce an initial report, hold a summit and provide final recommendations. Maisonneuve was granted an extension to March 31, 2026, for her final report. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 16, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Future of Sport in Canada Commission opens public survey ahead of summit
The Future of Sport in Canada Commission launched its public survey Monday to gather opinions on safe sport and improving the sport system ahead of its fall summit. Among the first questions posed: have you witnessed or experienced maltreatment in sport, and how big of a problem do you think maltreatment is in organized sport in Canada? Former Olympic skier Allison Forsyth, a founder of Generation Safe and now safe sport officer for Canada Soccer, says while she believes the commission is doing important work, some survey questions assume a level of experience with the national sport system. Forsyth also asks if the person taking the survey knows the definition of maltreatment under the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport. 'When I'm out here doing my work, there's many people in this country at the grassroots level that don't even know what safe sport means,' Forsyth said. 'The questions in the survey are very good, but very specific. 'If it was sent to the public as their opportunity to contribute to the future of sport in Canada . . . it doesn't do enough to explain to people the foundation of safe sport, what maltreatment is, and what the universal code of conduct is.' The survey is open until August and can be accessed through the website or the commission's social media posts. Forsyth, an survivor of sexual abuse in sport herself, recently completed her International Olympic Committee certification as a Safeguarding Officer in Sport. She's also worked with provincial, university and club sport organizations in Canada, and wanted those levels to be more represented in the survey questions. 'My education and work is the people that matter the most, which is the children in sport at a grassroots level whose parents are entrusting their club to keep their child safe from maltreatment,' Forsyth said. 'If I was a parent, and I am one of high-level hockey players in the youth programs, would I know any of this? The answer, in my opinion, is no because the universal code of conduct to address maltreatment in sport points back to the federal level of sport.' The commission was the among various federal government remedies in response to a wave of maltreatment and abuse reports, both current and historical, that surfaced after the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing. Athletes spoke to parliamentary committees about mental, verbal, physical and sexual abuse, and their of retribution for reporting it. So the commission's two-part questionnaire released Monday 'invites Canadians to share their experiences and perspectives to help shape a safer, more inclusive and accountable sport environment across the country,' the commission said in a statement. 'Participation in the survey offers another opportunity for individuals to contribute to the national dialogue on improving safe sport in Canada and enhancing the overall sport system.' The public survey follows the commission's cross-country consultations in a dozen cities from October to January, when athletes, coaches, officials and sport organizations were invited to participate in writing, or via online submissions and surveys, if they couldn't in person. The options of speaking or writing to the commission closed Monday when the public survey was introduced. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. The commission headed by Lise Maisonneuve, a former Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice, is expected to produce a preliminary report in August ahead of a two-session national summit Sept. 8-9 and Sept. 11-12 in Ottawa. Former sports minister Carla Qualtrough announced the commission in December, 2023, and the 2024 federal budget earmarked $10.6 million over two years for it to do its work. When Maisonneuve was appointed the commission's head May 9, 2024, the clock began ticking on its stated 18-month mandate to gather information, produce an initial report, hold a summit and provide final recommendations. Maisonneuve was granted an extension to March 31, 2026, for her final report. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 16, 2025.
