At the close of the successful Summer Olympics held in Paris last year, David Shoemaker sounded a serious alarm. Canada secured 27 medals in various sports like swimming, beach volleyball, and track and field. The CEO of the Canadian Olympic Committee expressed concern that despite the athletes’ potential, their full capabilities might not be realized without increased federal government support.
Shoemaker voiced worries about future performances in Milano Cortina and the upcoming LA Olympics in 2028. He highlighted the stagnant core funding for national sports organizations for the past 19 years, stressing that these organizations are grappling with increased responsibilities and insufficient resources.
Nearly 10 months later, under the leadership of Prime Minister Mark Carney, Canada saw a change in its government. Adam van Koeverden, a renowned retired kayaker with four Olympic medals, including a gold in the 2004 Athens Games, now heads the sports portfolio as the secretary of state for sport in the newly structured cabinet.
Van Koeverden faces the critical task of addressing funding shortages in sport organizations, with a proposed $144 million increase to compensate for the lack of significant core funding growth over the past two decades. Additionally, he must tackle the challenges posed by a national safe-sport crisis and respond to the recommendations of the Future of Sport in Canada Commission, due in March.
Amidst these responsibilities, the preservation of the unifying role of sports in Canadian society is paramount, as emphasized in a joint statement by the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee following the cabinet reshuffle in May.
In the realm of rugby, Nathan Bombrys, CEO of Rugby Canada, anticipates a strong performance from the Canadian women’s rugby union team in the upcoming World Cup in England. Despite their high ranking, the team faces fundraising challenges to support essential training activities, underscoring the need for financial backing to remain competitive on the global stage.
Olympic athletes across the country, represented by Philippe Marquis, chair of the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Commission, highlight funding as a critical issue affecting the sustainability of both sport organizations and individual athletes. The recent increase in living and training allowances under the Athlete Assistance Program is a step forward, but ongoing financial support is essential for athletes to thrive.
Van Koeverden, with his extensive experience in sports and government roles, acknowledges the demanding nature of his current position and the expectations placed upon him to drive positive outcomes. While the specific goals set by the Carney government in the sports sector remain unclear, van Koeverden’s commitment to advocating for increased core funding for national sport organizations is unwavering.
Recognizing the evolving landscape of sports in a growing nation, van Koeverden emphasizes the importance of funding grassroots sports to cultivate future sporting talents. Balancing support for emerging athletes with sustaining elite performance levels forms a crucial part of the government’s sports agenda, as efforts continue to secure enhanced funding for national sport organizations.