Michael Chong, the Canadian Minister for Sport, has released a Policy on Sport for Persons with a Disability that will provide C$12.5 million in funding to increase the number of people with disabilities who can participate in sport, and the Canadian Paralympic Committee was involved in the program's creation.
C$11 million of it will be provided each year for federal programs to improve access to sport and C$1.5 million annually fund growth in participation in sport for persons with disabilities.
Chong said the policy was developed in consultation with representatives from Special Olympics Canada, which deals with people with mental disabilities, the Canadian Paralympic Committee, which currently deals with people who have physical disabilities, the Canadian Deaf Sports Association, Canada's provincial and territorial governments, as well as several national sport and multisport service organizations.
"This policy will provide a firmer foundation for the development of sport opportunities for Canadians with disabilities, which holds enormous benefit in terms of their health and social integration," said Henry Wohler, President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee.
Luc Michaud, President of the Canadian Deaf Sports Association says that, "With this policy, deaf athletes across Canada will have the opportunity to compete and excel on the international playing field; Canada will be showcasing our best athletes in all capacities. We are pleased the federal government recognizes the need to foster the participation of sport in under-represented groups."
The policy's goal is to increase the number of persons with disabilities involved in sport activities at all levels and in all forms. It provides a framework for partners and stakeholders to initiate changes that lead to reducing and eventually eliminating sport-specific barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from participating. The Government of Canada will continue to work with its partners to effectively implement the Policy.
The Government of Canada is the single largest investor in Canada's sport system. A total of $140 million is provided annually for initiatives to support our high-performance athletes and to increase Canadians' participation in sport.
