Secretary of State van Koeverden announces new funding for Cycling Canada at Montréal 2026 UCI Road World Championships
This announcement is part of the Government of Canada's generational $1-billion investment in sport, the largest in the nation's history to strengthen our sport system, increase participation, continue hosting world-class events, upgrade stadiums, fields and community centres, and help athletes succeed from the playground to the podium.
OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 25, 2026 /CNW/ -- Canada's Year of Sport continues with the UCI Road World Championships in Montréal, Quebec. As Canadian cyclists wear the maple leaf and make us proud, the Government of Canada is supporting athletes at every stage of their journey, from playground to podium.
Through the Spring Economic Update, we invested $1 billion in sport, the largest in our nation's history, to strengthen our sport system. We moved quickly to get that support where it can make a difference.
We're continuing that work. Today, at Fan Village, during a demonstration of Cycling Canada's HopOn community program, the Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport), announced up to $6.8 million in funding for Cycling Canada in 2026–27, including an additional investment of $846,000 for this year.
This funding will support Canadian athletes, strengthen sport infrastructure, increase participation and help Canada continue to host world-class sporting events.
Secretary of State van Koeverden also highlighted a $13-million investment over the past five years to help host this week's 2026 UCI Road World Championships.
This is an incredible time to cheer on elite Canadian cyclists as they compete on home soil, while welcoming fans from around the world and proving once again that Canada is the best sport-hosting nation.
Quotes
"We're strengthening Canada's sport system by ensuring that much-needed resources get to National Sport Organizations quickly so they can put them in motion. For Cycling Canada, this means increased support for athletes, coaches and programs that help Canadians participate and excel in sport. As we welcome the world to Montréal for the 2026 UCI Road World Championships, we're proving once again that Canada is the best sport-hosting nation, while supporting our athletes and inspiring the next generation."
--The Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport)
"Secretary of State Adam van Koeverden has been a tremendous champion for Canadian sport. His leadership creates more opportunities for Canadians to experience the power of sport, and this investment will help us inspire more young people to ride, realize their potential and dream of one day proudly representing Canada on the world stage".
--Mathieu Boucher, Chief Executive Officer, Cycling Cyclisme Canada
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 funding to Cycling Canada is distributed as follows:
- Sport Canada Sport Support Program: $4.9 million in 2026–27, including a top-up of $846,000 from the Spring Economic Update.
- Hosting of the 2026 UCI Road World Championships: $13 million over five years, including $9.8 million through Sport Canada's Hosting Program and $3.2 million through Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.
- Sport Canada Hosting Program: $470,000 in 2026–27, including $370,000 from the Spring Economic Update, to support the hosting of six other international cycling events in Canada.
- $50,000 for the UCI Mountain Bike Continental Series in Canmore, Alberta, from June 9 to 13
- $50,000 for the Tour de Beauce in the Beauce region of Quebec, from June 10 to 14
- $50,000 for the Tour de Gatineau, in Gatineau, Quebec, on September 16 and 17
- $150,000 for the Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec et de Montréal, in Québec City on September 11, and in Montréal on September 13
- $50,000 for the Tour de l'Abitibi, in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, from July 10-19
- $120,000 for the finale of the Crankworx World Tour 2026, in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Quebec, from September 3 to 7
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 ongoing 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 of its recommendations.
Get more Canadians involved in sport: $660 million over five years and $110 million ongoing for sport organizations, increasing funding that has remained largely unchanged since 2005, so that they can invest in a strong and safe sport system and grow participation among children and youth nationwide. We want sport organizations to work with private sector partners who 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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Associated Links
2026 UCI Road World Championships
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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