Government of Canada Invests in Summer Sports and Contributes to the 2009 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwire - Aug. 12, 2009) - The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport), today announced an investment of nearly $52 million to 43 summer national sport organizations for 2009-2010 through the Government of Canada's Sport Support Program (http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/sc/pgm/spprt-eng.cfm). "Canada's summer national sport organizations play a key role in sport participation and athlete development from the playground to the podium. They support the advancement of our athletes and coaches and provide key leadership in sport programming," said Minister of State Lunn. "As we lead up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London, this investment will provide our athletes with the tools and resources they need to excel and own the podium." As part of this investment in Canada's summer sports, close to half of these funds will be directed to the summer sport Own the Podium initiative. This funding will help support sports and athletes with potential for podium results at the next Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games. "Own the Podium is very appreciative of the Government of Canada's investment in Canada's high-performance summer sport programs," said Alex Baumann, Executive Director, Own the Podium (Summer). "Support for Canada's high-performance programs is critical if Canada is to achieve its goal of placing among the top 12 nations at the London 2012 Olympic Games and the top 8 nations at the London 2012 Paralympic Games." "Our Government is committed to high-performance sport development," said Minister of State Lunn. "As we look back on our success in Beijing in 2008 and toward even more successful 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in London, we will continue to work with the sport community and support our athletes and coaches." This funding was announced today at the opening ceremony of the 2009 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships, which are taking place from August 12 to 16 in Halifax. The Championships will involve 1000 of the world's best paddlers and team members from 80 countries. Sport Canada is providing financial support of up to $2 million for the Championships through its Hosting Program (http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/sc/pgm/hstng-eng.cfm). "We are proud to support the 2009 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships, the largest international sporting event to take place in Atlantic Canada," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. "This investment gives Canadians the opportunity to cheer on our athletes and highlight their talents and achievements." "The Government of Canada's continued support for sport participation and excellence is a critical factor in our quest to be the best paddling nation in the world," said Anne Merklinger, Director General, CanoeKayak Canada. "This week, Canada's paddlers will challenge for gold in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This region of our country is a key contributor to CanoeKayak Canada's successful high-performance sport program." This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Media Room. BACKGROUNDER SPORT SUPPORT PROGRAM The Sport Support Program (SSP) is the primary funding vehicle for initiatives associated with the delivery of the Canadian Sport Policy. SSP funding is aimed at developing athletes and coaches at the highest international levels, providing sound technically based sport programming for all athletes, increasing the number of Canadians from all segments of society involved in sport, and advancing Canadian interests and values in Canada and abroad. This funding is provided to eligible organizations for programming that supports the goals of the Canadian Sport Policy. Program objectives The Sport Support Program's objectives are: - to increase opportunities to participate in quality sport activities for all Canadians, including under-represented groups; - to increase the capacity of the Canadian sport system to systematically achieve world-class results at the highest levels of international competition; - to contribute to the provision of technical sport leadership within the Canadian Sport System; and - to advance Canadian interests, values, and ethics in sport at home and abroad. Key stakeholders, beneficiaries, and recipients The primary beneficiaries of the SSP are national-team athletes, coaches, and other sport participants. Services and programs are provided to these individuals through third-party delivery organizations directly supported by the program through contribution agreements. Contribution agreements are signed with each recipient organization. Each agreement outlines eligible projects and other financial, reporting, and performance terms and conditions. Recipient organizations include incorporated non-profit organizations, provincial and territorial government departments responsible for sport that support the principles and goals of the Canadian Sport Policy, and research councils. These organizations include, but are not limited to, national sport organizations, multisport organizations, and Canadian Sport Centres. Nationally funded organizations are required to meet the eligibility requirements as outlined in the Sport Funding and Accountability Framework. They are also required to incorporate the accountability policy areas of enhanced excellence, enhanced participation, enhanced interaction, and enhanced capacity within their strategic and operating plans. These plans serve as the blueprint for each sport's athlete and sport development activities and form the basis of the funding relationship with the Government of Canada. A table of the "FUNDING FOR SUMMER NATIONAL SPORT ORGANIZATIONS, 2009-2010" is available at the following address: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/sport_organizations_ENG.pdf