Government of Canada Announces $10.1 Million Direct Investment in Athletes
VANCOUVER, September 10, 2004 -- Minister of State (Sport) Stephen Owen today announced a $10.1 million increase in funds for carded athletes and for equipment purchases. This represents an increase of $4.6 million in the Athlete Assistance Program and up to $5.5 million for equipment purchases. This announcement is part of the $30 million additional investment in high performance sport announced in May this year.More than 1400 Canadian athletes will receive a $4,800 per year increase in their tax-free stipends. Stipends for athletes with developmental cards will increase from $500 per month to $900 per month, representing an 80 percent increase and bringing the annual total to $10,800. Stipends for athletes with senior cards will increase from $1,100 per month to $1,500 per month, representing a 36 percent increase and bringing the annual total to $18,000.
With today's announcement, the Athlete Assistance Program budget, which includes tuition assistance for student athletes, will increase from $16 million to nearly $21 million in 2004-05. The Athlete Assistance Program supports carded athletes with their living and training expenses. In addition, carded athletes who study and train at Canadian universities and colleges will continue to receive up to $10,000 per year in tuition assistance.
"This announcement is an important step toward developing a sport system that better meets the needs of today's elite athletes, and the talent developing for tomorrow," stated Minister Owen. "This investment builds towards success in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2006, 2008, 2010 and beyond."
Minister Owen also announced an additional investment of $5.5 million for national teams to purchase equipment for athletes and for Canadian Sport Centres to support sport science and sport medicine. Improved equipment, including sport-specific equipment such as rowing shells, canoes, hockey sledges, wheelchairs, and tandem bikes, will benefit athletes' training needs. Athletes will also benefit from equipment investments in Canadian Sport Centres for testing, monitoring, and refining their training programs.
"We will continue to build on the work we have done in consultation with the sport community as we strive to become a leading sport nation," said Minister of Canadian Heritage Liza Frulla. "The Prime Minister has asked for a plan to be brought forward, and I'm pleased to be working with my colleague, Minister of State Owen, to look at ways to strengthen our sport system."
To determine the allocation of funds, the Government of Canada consulted with the sport community during the national roundtable consultations on sport held in April 2004, as well as during a number of other meetings with representatives of the sport community.
The Government of Canada is the single largest investor in Canada's sport system. A total of $120 million is being provided in 2004Ñ05 to support initiatives for high-performance athletes and to increase Canadians' participation in sport. The Government of Canada is also a member partner of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and will contribute $310 million toward their success.
To learn more about the various programs offered by the Government of Canada in the area of sport, visit the Canadian Heritage Web site at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/sportcanada
Information:
Alastair Mullin
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State (Sport)
(613) 952-7418
Donald Boulanger
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
[ Media Room ]
