July 27, 2026
CALGARY, AB (July 27th, 2026) – The Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSIN) extends its sincere appreciation to the Government of Canada for its generational investment in Canada’s sport system and its commitment to building a stronger country through sport.
COPSIN particularly welcomes the expansion of the Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) by $3 million annually. This increase brings the annual funding available to high-performance athletes through the program to $43 million, helping more athletes manage the financial demands associated with training and international competition and allowing them to remain focused on their performance and pursuit of excellence.
Canada’s athletes dedicate years of their lives to representing the country on the world stage. Direct financial assistance is an essential part of the larger system of coaching, sport science, sport medicine, mental-health support, training environments and performance services that helps athletes reach their potential.
“On behalf of the entire COPSIN Network, we thank the Government of Canada and the Honourable Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State for Sport, for recognizing sport as an important nation-building investment and aiming to Build Canada Strong through sport,” said Gary Davies, President & CEO, Canadian Sport Institute Alberta (CSI Alberta). “Supporting athletes and the people, programs and facilities around them creates benefits that extend far beyond competition. These investments will help strengthen Canadian communities, inspire participation and provide our athletes with the world-class support they need to proudly represent Canada.”
The new athlete assistance funding forms part of approximately $1 billion in new federal sport-related investments. Together, these commitments will expand opportunities for Canadians to participate in sport, upgrade stadiums, fields and community recreation facilities, support Canada’s ability to host major international competitions and help Canadian athletes perform at the highest levels.
Sport strengthens communities, supports the health and well-being of Canadians and creates shared moments of national pride. These federal investments recognize sport’s unique ability to bring people together while providing athletes, coaches and sport organizations with the resources and environments they need to succeed. Federal investments will strengthen athlete support, protect world-class training environments and create more opportunities for Canadians from playground to podium.
Investment in World-Class Sport Infrastructure
Sport infrastructure is one critical way in which the bar for sport in Canada can be raised. With that in mind, COPSIN also applauds today’s announcement of $33.6 million in federal funding through the Build Communities Strong Fund for three significant sport infrastructure projects in Alberta.
The investment will support the long-term operation of the University of Calgary’s Olympic Oval in partnership with the Government of Alberta. The Oval is one of Canada’s most celebrated high-performance facilities and has provided generations of Canadian athletes with access to the fastest ice in the world. Olympic and Paralympic athletes from across Canada have trained, competed, won medals and set world records at the facility, making it an important part of Canada’s sporting history and future.
Federal funding will also support improvements to the WinSport halfpipe in Calgary, helping ensure that it continues to meet world-class training and competition standards and can host additional international events. Further investments at the Nakiska National Ski Cross Training Centre in Kananaskis will increase snowmaking capacity and update security infrastructure.
These facilities are critical components of Alberta’s high-performance sport environment and support athletes and coaches in long-track speed skating, freestyle skiing, snowboarding, ski cross and other winter sports. Investing in their continued operation and improvement will help Canadian athletes prepare at home while strengthening Canada’s position as a leading international sport-hosting nation.
COPSIN looks forward to working alongside the Government of Canada, provincial and territorial governments, National Sport Organizations, Own the Podium, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and partners throughout the Canadian sport system to transform these investments into meaningful and lasting outcomes.
Together, these commitments will create more opportunities for Canadians to play, train, compete and proudly wear the maple leaf on the world stage.
About COPSIN
With seven locations across Canada, the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSIN) partners with National Sport Organizations (NSOs) and the high-performance sport community to deliver world-class performance services and applied sport science research projects.
COPSIN is a key performance partner in the implementation of the priorities of the National High-Performance Strategy including the Game Plan program, mental health and safe sport. Find out more at www.copsin.ca
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Media Contact
Noah Wheelock Senior Manager, Communications & Operations Canadian Sport Institute Pacific nwheelock@csipacific.ca 250.813.3474