Secretary of State van Koeverden announces over $1 million in new funding for Wheelchair Basketball
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The Government of Canada also commends Canada's women's and men's Wheelchair Basketball teams for their outstanding performances at the International Wheelchair Basketball World Championships and for being gracious hosts to the world's top athletes.
OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 21, 2026 /CNW/ -- As the IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships come to a close, it provides a moment to reflect on the tournament's success and what the Canadian teams have accomplished on the world stage.
Over the past 10 days, Canadian athletes wore the maple leaf with determination and sportsmanship. Congratulations to both teams on an outstanding tournament and on being gracious hosts, and to our women's team on bringing home the silver medal.
This weekend, during the closing ceremonies, the Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport), announced that the Government of Canada will continue to support this work with a total investment of up to $5.2 million in 2026–27 for Wheelchair Basketball Canada, including a new top-up of close to $800,000.
This funding will support Canadian athletes, strengthen sport infrastructure, increase participation and help Canada continue to host world-class sporting events.
Through this investment, Secretary of State van Koeverden also highlighted increased support for the 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships, bringing the total to $2.8 million, including a new top-up of $300,000 for this outstanding international event that welcomed over 300 top athletes from 18 countries to Canada.
It was incredible to cheer on elite Canadian wheelchair basketball athletes as they competed against the world's best on home soil, while welcoming fans from around the globe and proving once again, that Canada is the best sport-hosting nation in the world.
Congratulations again to Canada's women's and men's teams for making Canadians so proud.
Quotes
"We're strengthening Canada's sport system by getting much-needed resources quickly to National Sport Organizations so they can put them in motion. For Wheelchair Basketball Canada, this means fewer barriers to participation, more support for Canadian athletes from playground to podium, and additional investment to host world-class competition, right here at home.
The IWBF World Championships were made possible by coaches, volunteers, athletes and families who gave so much to make them happen. Congratulations to our men's and women's teams on an amazing showing, and to everyone who helped make these championships a success. You gave Canadians so much to be proud of."
--The Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State (Sport)
"The Government of Canada's support has been an important part of making these Championships possible, but our partnership goes well beyond this event. For Wheelchair Basketball Canada, working with the federal government has meant having a shared commitment to growing the sport of wheelchair basketball, creating opportunities for Canadians with disabilities, and showing what is possible when we invest in high-performance and inclusive sport.
Hosting the World Championships in Ottawa is a tremendous opportunity to showcase wheelchair basketball on the world stage and to create a lasting legacy here at home. We are grateful for the Government of Canada's investment and, just as importantly, for its continued partnership as we work together to grow the sport and create more opportunities for Canadians to experience the power of sport."
--Wendy Gittens, Chief Executive Officer, Wheelchair Basketball 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 Sport Support Program supports the development of the Canadian sport system.
The funding to Wheelchair Basketball Canada is distributed as follows:
- $2.8 million in 2026–2027 through the Sport Support Program for Wheelchair Basketball Canada, including a top-up of $778,500
- $2.8 million in support of the 2026 IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships over two years, including a top-up of $300,000.
- $100,000 for the 2026 Women's Invitational Wheelchair Basketball and the 2026 Men's Invitational Wheelchair Basketball tournaments earlier in the summer.
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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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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