Building Canada Strong through sport: Government of Canada strengthens support for Team Canada
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New funding for the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network will help Canadian athletes compete on the world stage
WINNIPEG, MB, Oct. 15, 2026 /CNW/ -- Our government believes sport is our ultimate nation builder. A country that comes together through sport is a country united. That unity is on full display when Canadian athletes proudly wear the maple leaf on the world stage. The federal government is investing in Team Canada, strengthening the support athletes need to compete at the highest level.
Today at the Canadian Sport Centre Manitoba, a legacy of the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, the Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport), announced more than $17 million in funding for the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSIN) in 2026-27, which includes an additional $5.4 million this year.
Behind every athlete is a team. This investment will enhance the support athletes receive, giving them greater access to physiology, nutrition, mental performance, sport medicine and expert coaching.
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. This investment will support safe sport and sport integrity measures, expand participation, enhance athlete development and strengthen high-performance programs across the country.
The Government of Canada is also providing more direct financial support to athletes. In July, the Secretary of State announced a $3-million annual increase to the Athlete Assistance Program, bringing its total yearly funding to $43 million. The increase raises the monthly allocations for senior carded athletes and extends benefits to more of them, particularly those in sports new to the Olympic and Paralympic programs, as well as guides for athletes with visual impairments. It also increases support for para athletes and athletes with children. From the training centre to the world stage, athletes will have more help to train, compete and reach their full potential.
These measures are part of the Government of Canada's generational $1-billion investment in sport, the largest in our country's history, to improve access to sport, continue hosting world-class events, upgrade stadiums, fields and community recreation facilities, and help athletes succeed from the playground to the podium.
Quotes
"Canada's top athletes are a great source of pride for our entire country. Every time an Olympic or Paralympic athlete competes, they wear the maple leaf on their jersey or the Canada name on their back. They represent us all, and every athlete needs a strong team behind them. Today's federal announcement highlights a direct investment in Team Canada, supporting its pursuit of excellence and helping athletes at every step of their sport journey. Together, we're Building Canada Strong, from the playground to the podium."
--The Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport)
"The Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network welcomes Sport Canada's new investment. This funding recognizes the important role our institutes play in Canada's sport system and strengthens our ability to work with National Sport Organizations, the COC, the CPC and other partners. We look forward to putting these resources to work in ways that deliver clear results for athletes, coaches and the communities we serve."
-- Matt Barr, Executive Director, Canadian Sport Centre Manitoba, on behalf of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSIN)
Quick Facts
The Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network has seven locations across Canada:
COPSIN partners with National Sport Organizations to deliver world-class performance services and applied sport science research. As a key performance partner, it helps implement the priorities of the National High Performance Strategy, including Game Plan, mental health and safe sport.
As we celebrate Canada's year of sport, the Government of Canada will host Canada Strong through sport: The Playground to Podium Summit on November 9 and 10 in Ottawa, to help strengthen and transform our sport system.
Associated Links
Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSIN)
Canadian Sport Centre Manitoba
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SOURCE Canadian Heritage
Contacts: For more information (media only), please contact: Bahoz Dara Aziz, Director of Communications, Office of the Secretary of State (Sport), [email protected]; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, [email protected]
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