Secretary of State van Koeverden announces key measures to Build Canada Strong through sport
The Government of Canada also applauds Capital Power for investing in Alpine Canada to advance Canada's "Playground to Podium" vision and help build Canada Strong.
CALGARY, AB, Sept. 11, 2026 /CNW/ -- Our government believes sport is our ultimate nation builder; a country that comes together through sport is a country united. That's why, through the Spring Economic Update, we made a generational $1-billion investment in sport, the largest in our nation's history, to strengthen our sport system, support athletes, increase participation and bring more world-class events to Canada.
We moved quickly to get this support out the door, with new funding to host world-class sporting events, increase the Athlete Assistance Program and build sport infrastructure.
Today, the Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport), highlighted the Government of Canada's investment of $112 million in new federal funding, highlighting more than $8 million in 2026–27 invested in Alpine Canada, which includes this rollout of a top-up of $2.77 million. This brings total Sport Support Program to more than $273 million for 2026–27.
This Government of Canada investment will support safe sport and sport integrity measures, expand participation, enhance athlete development, and strengthen high-performance programs across the country. For Alpine Canada, the investment will help deliver athlete and national team programs, improve coaching and training supports, increase access to skiing through grassroots and adaptive initiatives, reduce costs for athletes, and modernize sport system infrastructure.
This funding provides national-level sport organizations with additional mid-fiscal-year funding through a streamlined process, on top of their already allocated core funding. As we strengthen Canada's sport system, we will continue to support National Sport Organizations, National Multisport Services Organizations, and the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network.
Today, Capital Power also announced a partnership with Alpine Canada with an investment of $5 million in the first year, followed by up to $20 million of additional support over the partnership's five-year term.
In April, our new government made a pragmatic investment to strengthen the sport system in Canada and create more opportunity for private industry to invest. Together with private and philanthropic partners, we will deliver a better sport system that serves Canada's communities, athletes and fans. Capital Power's partnership with Alpine Canada is the first to answer the call and reflects the private-sector's alignment to strengthening Canada's sport system and uniting Canadians. We applaud them for stepping up to advance the Playground to Podium vision.
Quotes
"Sport has the power to shape lives and connect people in ways that very few things can. Our government believes sport is our strength and our ultimate nation builder. Today's support for Alpine Canada is another step forward, and it's only the beginning. As we strengthen Canada's sport system, support for national-level sport organizations will continue to roll out. Advancing our Playground to Podium vision also requires strong private-sector champions. Look no further than Capital Power, which stepped up and joined our efforts. Their support for Alpine Canada reflects the private sector's commitment to Building Canada Strong through sport."
--The Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport)
"On behalf of Canada's National Ski Team, our coaches and staff, and young ski racers across the country, thank you to Prime Minister Mark Carney and to the Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport), for believing in our athletes and our sport. Ski racing is part of who we are as a winter sport nation. It brings families together on ski hills, communities together to host races, and Canadians together from all provinces and territories to cheer on our athletes as they proudly represent Canada on the world stage. This investment will help strengthen our sport from the first turns on a local ski hill to the Olympic and Paralympic podiums, inspiring the next generation of Canadian champions."
--Andrew Baker, President and CEO, Alpine Canada
"Sport has the power to bring Canadians together, inspire young people, build future leaders, and strengthen communities and our country. Alongside the Government of Canada, we're proud to back Alpine Canada as it opens skiing to more Canadians, equips athletes and coaches to compete at the highest level, and brings partners together to support a more ambitious future for winter sport as we build to the 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games."
--Avik Dey, President and CEO, Capital Power
Quick Facts
This announcement is part of the Government of Canada's generational $1-billion investment 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.
The Sport Support Program supports the development of the Canadian sport system.
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.
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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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