New funding for National Sport Organizations will help grow sport across the country and support Canadian athletes on the world stage

OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 22, 2026 /CNW/ -- Our government believes sport is our ultimate nation builder. From the local rink to the Olympic and Paralympic podiums, sport brings Canadians together. National sport organizations play an important part in that journey, connecting local clubs to national teams and creating a path for athletes to proudly wear the maple leaf on the world stage.

Today, the Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport), announced more than $156 million in funding for 62 National Sport Organizations (NSOs) in 2026–27, which includes an additional $60 million this year.

This investment will help NSOs grow participation in sport by increasing access, building interest and delivering quality sport programming, because talent is everywhere in this country and opportunity should be too. It will enhance elite athlete development, help Team Canada compete at the highest level, advance safe sport and sport integrity, and strengthen a sport system that Canadians can trust and believe in.

Today's announcement is part of the $112 million in new Sport Support Program funding, which provides national-level sport organizations with additional mid-fiscal-year funding through a streamlined process.

These measures are part of the Government of Canada's generational $1-billion investment in sport—the largest in our country's history—to upgrade stadiums, fields and community centres; advance safe sport; improve access; host more world-class events; and help athletes succeed from the playground to the podium.

Quotes

"Sport has the power to shape lives and bring people together in a way few things can. Today's announcement reflects a new era for sport in Canada, one where more kids have the opportunity to get out and play, and Team Canada athletes have the support they need to compete and win. We're working with National Sport Organizations to strengthen our sport system at every level. Sport is the ultimate nation builder, and together, we're Building Canada Strong, from the playground to the podium."

—The Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport)

"This additional investment in National Sport Organizations is an important step toward turning Canada's Playground to Podium vision into reality. It gives organizations greater capacity to strengthen safe and inclusive sport environments; bring more children and youth into sport; and build the programs, coaching and athlete pathways that support performance at the highest levels. As representatives of the Summer Sport Caucus, we see this as meaningful progress toward a stronger, healthier and more sustainable future for Canadian sport."

—Michael Bartlett and Suzanne Paulins, Co-Chairs, Summer Sport Caucus

"Today's announcement by the federal government is a significant commitment that will benefit our National Sport Organizations and the millions of Canadians who participate in our programs across the country. Our Winter Sport Caucus is eager to use this moment to further highlight the important work being done by the entire Canadian Sport System to build capacity to support our athletes, coaches and staff, and we thank the federal government for its role in growing sport from coast to coast to coast."

—Katherine Henderson and Dustin Heise, Co-Chairs, Winter Sport Caucus

Quick Facts

• The Sport Support Program supports the development of the Canadian sport system.
• The Government of Canada made a generational $1-billion investment in sport.
• The Spring Economic Update 2026 provided $755 million over five years, starting in 2026–27, and $118 million on a permanent basis, to Canadian Heritage to help Canada's sport system:
  • Host and compete with the best: $50 million over five years to bring more world-class sporting events to Canada. Funding will be tied to legacy-building projects that deliver lasting benefits well beyond the events themselves. Facilities built or upgraded for major events will continue to serve communities, support grassroots participation and strengthen local sport systems for years to come.
  • Support our athletes and the next generation in performing at the highest levels: $45 million over five years and $8 million on a permanent basis to help our athletes train, compete and perform, including support for better mental health and funding that will be linked to robust safe sport measures and frameworks. These actions will strengthen the sport system and respond to some of the findings of the Final Report of the Future of Sport in Canada Commission while the government continues to consider all its recommendations.
  • Get more Canadians involved in sport: $660 million over five years, and $110 million on a permanent basis, for sport organizations, increasing funding that has remained largely unchanged since 2005, so they can invest in a strong and safe sport system and grow participation among children and youth across Canada. We want sport organizations to work with private sector partners that share the goal of getting more Canadians involved in sport. We also expect sport organizations to make changes to their programming to invest in sport at all levels.
• Through the Build Communities Strong Fund, the Government of Canada is investing $250 million in key sport and recreation infrastructure projects.

Associated Links

• Sport Support Program 
• National Sport Organizations

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Backgrounder: Building Canada Strong through sport: Government of Canada strengthens support for National Sport Organizations

The Honourable Adam van Keoverden, Secretary of State (Sport), announced support for National Sport Organizations.

The Government of Canada invests funding in National Sport Organizations through the Sport Support Program (SSP). The SSP is the Government of Canada's primary funding program for national-level sport organizations.

List of supported National Sport Organizations

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SOURCE Canadian Heritage