Canada boosts funding for high-performance athletes on October 11, 2024
- The Government of Canada is investing $35 million over five years in the Athlete Assistance Program to support high-performance athletes.
- Monthly living and training allowances for carded athletes will increase by about 23%, with additional support for Paralympic athletes.
- This funding aims to alleviate financial pressures on athletes, allowing them to concentrate on their training and competition.
On October 11, 2024, in Gatineau, Quebec, the Government of Canada announced a significant funding increase for high-performance athletes. The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity, revealed that Budget 2024 will allocate $35 million over five years to the Athlete Assistance Program (AAP), with an additional $7 million annually thereafter. This funding aims to enhance the monthly living and training allowances for carded athletes, addressing the financial pressures they face, particularly due to inflation. The monthly living allowance for senior card athletes will rise to $2,175, while development card athletes will receive $1,305. Furthermore, ten new senior card equivalents will be introduced to support athletes in emerging Olympic and Paralympic sports. The funding will also increase key support programs, including the Excellence Living and Training Allowance and the Child Dependent Allowance, both seeing a 23% increase to $615 per month. Additionally, the Training and Competition Allowance for Paralympic athletes with high support needs will increase by 30%, bringing it to $650 per month. This comprehensive support is designed to help athletes focus on their training and competition without the burden of financial stress. The government emphasizes its commitment to supporting athletes as they represent Canada on the international stage, inspiring future generations and showcasing the nation's capabilities in sports.