SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwired - April 14, 2015) - Department of Canadian Heritage

Kelly Block, Member of Parliament (Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar), on behalf of the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), today reiterated the Government of Canada's continued support for the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network. The Government of Canada is investing close to $16 million per year in the national network of seven Canadian Sport Centres and Institutes, which provide world-class training, sport medicine, sport science and lifestyle services and support to Canada's top athletes and coaches.

Ms. Block was joined by Canadian sport leaders and athletes as they toured the training facilities at the Physical Activity Complex on the campus of the University of Saskatchewan.

Quick Facts

• Canadian Sport Centres and Institutes were created in the late 1990s by a unique national partnership between Sport Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Coaching Association of Canada to enhance the daily training environment of Canada's high-performance athletes and coaches. In each case, the provincial governments are also funding partners. The Canadian Paralympic Committee has since become a funding partner, while Own the Podium is a high-performance sport partner.
  
  
• In 2014-15, the Government of Canada, through Sport Canada's Sport Support Program, invested $15,854,724 in the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network, including $311,420 to the Canadian Sport Centre Saskatchewan.
  
  
• In the four years prior to the London 2012 and the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games, the Government invested over $1.1 million and $1.2 million, respectively, in the programs and services provided by the Canadian Sport Centre Saskatchewan. Looking forward through the Toronto 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games to the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, our Government is continuing to provide our top athletes and coaches in Saskatchewan with what they need to compete-including $934,760 to the Centre between 2013-14 and the end of 2015-16.
  
  
• The Canadian Sport Centre Saskatchewan provides services to 50 carded athletes. It has a rich history of working with curling, as well as with a variety of Paralympic sports.
  
  
• Supporting this national network ensures that each centre and institute is able to continue to provide world-class services and programs to Canada's top athletes and coaches, enabling them to continue their relentless pursuit of podium performances wherever they compete.
  
  
• During the Year of Sport of Canada, we are celebrating our athletes and their role in inspiring all Canadians-especially our young people-as they compete at home in major international events throughout the year, including the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 and the Toronto 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games.
  
  
• When we embrace the power of sport and lead more active lifestyles, we benefit as individuals but we also build healthier, stronger communities. That is why the Government has doubled the Children's Fitness Tax Credit to $1,000. This, together with the expansion of the Universal Child Care Benefit, will help offset the costs of parents enrolling their children in organized sports.

Quotes

"The Government of Canada remains a proud and significant funding partner in the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network. Our support ensures that each centre and institute has the resources required to help our athletes and coaches compete against the world's best-and win. Especially during the Year of Sport in Canada, our Government continues to invest in sport at record levels because we know the impact it has: from local playgrounds and recreational sport leagues all the way to high-performance athletes, sport is vital to the cultural fabric of our nation. Our country is a leading sport nation, and we want to keep it that way."

- The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport)

"Our athletes inspire us, and their exploits on the field of play make all Canadians proud. Saskatchewan has a proud history of sport excellence, including Saskatoon's Kaylyn Kyle, who will wear the maple leaf with the Canadian team at the FIFA 2015 Women's World Cup this summer. Our Government is pleased to invest in the Canadian Sport Centre Saskatchewan and support the passionate team of sport professionals who work with our top athletes and coaches in their relentless pursuit of the podium."

- Kelly Block, Member of Parliament (Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar)

"The Canadian Sport Centre Saskatchewan, as part of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network, is very proud to be a key contributor to Canada's tremendous Olympic and Paralympic performances by helping to create a world-class training environment. With the tremendous support of the Government of Canada and our other partners, we are able to deliver leading performance services, coach education and life services to support Saskatchewan's high-performance athletes to achieve their goals and follow their dreams."

- Larry Lafrentz, Chair, Canadian Sport Centre Saskatchewan

Associated Links

Canada.ca/Sport

Canadian Sport Centre Saskatchewan

Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network

FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015

Toronto 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games

Children's Fitness Tax Credit

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