Canadian Olympic Committee CEO David Shoemaker views the Future of Sport in Canada Commission’s report as a guide to addressing various issues in Canadian sports. Shoemaker highlights the initial steps as focusing on safe sport practices and augmenting financial support for athletes and national sports organizations. Over the past two decades, core funding for national sports organizations in Canada has remained stagnant while expenses continue to escalate, ultimately burdening athletes.
Shoemaker emphasizes the importance of adequate funding for a safe sports system, as discussed by the commission that began its work in 2024. The commission’s final report, released recently, advocates for significant structural changes in the Canadian sports landscape, citing widespread maltreatment and a broken system due to underfunding and poor organization.
Led by former Chief Justice Lise Maisonneuve, the commission proposes nearly 100 action items, including immediate funding boosts and the long-term establishment of a centralized sport entity overseeing sports in Canada, possibly in the form of a Crown corporation. Shoemaker acknowledges the recommendation for a unified sports organization, aligning with their efforts to bridge gaps in the sports system and promote safe sport practices.
Prime Minister Mark Carney plans to revamp funding for Canadian athletes in the coming months, recognizing the interconnection between high-performance sports and grassroots initiatives. The 2024 federal budget outlines a $35 million increase in athlete funding through the Athlete Assistance Program, yet national sports organizations struggle to cover rising costs, hindering accessibility to sports, particularly at the high-performance level.
The report also scrutinizes Own the Podium, an initiative established before the 2010 Winter Olympics to enhance Canadian athletes’ medal achievements. While some praise its impact on international performance, others criticize its medal-centric focus and neglect of Paralympic athletes. Shoemaker advocates for balancing safe sport practices and high-performance excellence, emphasizing their compatibility.
Athlete Maxwell Lattimer, Vice Chair of the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Commission, expresses optimism following the report, noting that athletes’ voices were heard and validated. He stresses the necessity for transformative changes alongside increased funding to maximize efficiency and benefits for athletes and sports stakeholders.