1.0 Introduction

The federal government began investing in sport in the 1960s in an effort to remedy Canada’s poor showing in international competition and the low level of physical fitness among Canadians. The legislated entry of government into amateur sport began with the Fitness and Amateur Sport Act of 1961 which provided the basis for federal funding. 

Provincial and Territorial (P/T) governments also became significantly involved in sport and, in the late sixties and the 1970’s, the federal government became engaged in partnerships with P/T governments in key programs, such as the Canada Games and the National Coaching Certification Program.
 
In 1987, Federal-Provincial and Territorial (F-P/T) governments developed a working agreement through the National Recreation Statement (Note: the definition of the term “recreation” included sport). This document recognized that the jurisdictional primacy for recreation (including sport participation) rested with the provinces and territories.  However, it also recognized that primacy does not mean exclusivity and noted that there was “a clear and necessary role” for the federal government in the field of recreation, and encouraged the federal government to work closely and cooperatively with all agents within the Canadian delivery system of recreational services. 

In 2000, F-P/T Ministers responsible for sport, physical activity and recreation collaborated in a series of pan-Canadian consultations, and in May 2002 endorsed the first ever Canadian Sport Policy (CSP). The CSP identified “Enhanced Participation” as one of four goals for governmental action, along with enhancing excellence, capacity and interaction. The CSP was complemented by priorities for collaborative action established by F-P/T governments to jointly pursue CSP objectives. F-P/T governments also agreed to the development of bilateral agreements to advance the goals of the CSP.

The “Enhanced Participation” goal of the Canadian Sport Policy is that by 2012 “A significantly higher proportion of Canadians from all segments of society are involved in quality sport activities at all levels and in all forms of participation.” A wide range of governmental and non-governmental organizations at the local, provincial/territorial and national levels, each with their own mandates and objectives, contribute to the pursuit of this goal.

In 2003, the Government of Canada enacted a new Physical Activity and Sport Act (Act)to replace the 1961 Fitness and Amateur Sport Act. One of the new Act’s policy objectives is “increased participation in the practice of sport” along with supporting the pursuit of sport excellence and building capacity in the Canadian sport system.

The National Recreation Statement, the CSP and the Act provide the legislative and policy framework for Sport Canada’s role in sport participation. The Sport Participation Strategy (Strategy) further describes the federal role amongst other stakeholders in Canada by identifying Sport Canada’s goal, objectives, activities and principles for action in sport participation.