Federal government launches new funding for safer, more trusted Canadian sports system

New funds targeting anti-doping and safety hope to turn this financial investment into lasting trust

SportsLéa Leblond — Published November 10, 2026 0 minutes

The $19.2 million represents a combined total budget designed to tackle three core pillars: safe sport governance, anti-doping protocols and the prevention of competition manipulation. 

“We are continuing to strengthen safety, integrity, accountability and transparency across the sport system,” van Koeverden said in a press release. 

The investment gives Sport Integrity Canada and the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC) the resources needed to advance the future of Canadian sports.

Francis Ménard, CEO of the SDRCC, said in the same press release that the new resources will help shape the future of national athletics.

“This investment will strengthen our ability to evolve alongside the changing needs of the Canadian sport system, remaining grounded in independence, cost-effectiveness and timeliness,” Ménard said.

Safe sport initiatives will receive primary focus to combat institutional silence surrounding athlete maltreatment, with $7.1 million directed towards this sector. The investment will prioritize independent investigative bodies and advocacy groups to reform complaint processes and eliminate conflicts of interest.

Last year, Sport Integrity Canada launched the mandatory abuse-reporting mechanism, the Canadian Safety and Security Program, for federally funded sports organizations.

Hockey Canada’s 2018 World Junior sexual assault case was one example of many scandals that exposed deep structural flaws within Canadian sports. Experts say these flaws are long overdue for a financial remedy.

“They have been waiting 20 years for investments,” Milena Parent, a professor at the University of Ottawa's Telfer School of Management, said. “The system was in a dire position due to a lack of investment.”

Parent noted that decades of underfunding left national sport organizations operating on a shoestring budget, unable to keep pace with international standards.

The government is also adding an additional $11.75 million to fund anti-doping programs, upgrade laboratory equipment and improve athlete education.

Jeremy Luke, president and CEO of Sport Integrity Canada, emphasized that the new funding comes at a critical time.

“As we prepare to launch the 2027 Canadian Anti-Doping Program, this investment demonstrates Canada’s commitment to clean sport and athlete safety,” said Luke in a press release. 

Sport Integrity Canada announced the new Canadian Anti-Doping Program, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. The program will modernize the nation’s drug-testing rules to align with global standards and protect fair competition.

The government’s decision to fund safe sport initiatives follows Canada's performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics. 

“Canadians demanded a dedicated system for international athletes after poor Olympic performances,” Parent said.

The Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics marked Canada’s second-lowest medal count with 21 total: five gold, seven silver and nine bronze.

Parent worries funds could easily slip through the cracks before creating meaningful change. She points out that infrastructure, such as Montreal Olympic Stadium, is in dire need of repairs.

“If the system continues as it is doing today, we will see athletes who do not feel safe,” Parent said. 

Parent noted that current administrative frameworks may fail to adequately reach local training environments without increased oversight.

Updated protection protocols and revised infrastructure remain necessary as the federal funding takes effect. Long-term success depends on how well different levels of government implement the new national standards.

“With politicians from 14 governments working together to align and secure the framework, the power to make it succeed is finally in their hands,” Parent concluded.