The federal government had added $755 million in sport funding over the next five years, which drops to $118 million after that, as part of its spring economic update.
The money's stated purpose is to bring more international sports events to Canada, better support the country's athletes competing on the world stage and get more Canadians involved in sport.
"Canadians understand the power of sport -- how it pushes us to do better and brings us together in our communities," said Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne in his address Tuesday in Ottawa.
"We saw this . . . during the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and we see it every day on our rinks, in our sports centres, and in our school yards.
"A Canada for all must also be a Canada where sport is accessible for everyone."
Champagne called it "the most significant investment in our sport system in 20 years."
The Canadian Olympic and Paralympic committees have asked on behalf of national sport organizations in two successive federal budgets for an increase in core funding, which they say has been stagnant since 2005 and hasn't kept up with inflation.
The most recent ask was for a $144-million increase in core funding, which is annual money NSOs count on to fund operations, athletes, coaches and support staff. Freestyle Canada chief executive officer Peter Judge has called it the "blood in the veins" of his organization.
Tuesday's announcement included $660 million more over five years and $110 million after that to national sport organizations to invest in their athletes and grow participation in their sports.
Another $45 million over five years and $8 million thereafter goes to athletes to train and compete, and have access to better mental health supports.
The government also earmarked $50 million to hosting international events over the next five years.
Prime Minister Mark Carney hinted at an injection of money into the sports system March 14 when speaking with Canadian skiers competing in Norway.
Canada fell out of the top five countries in the total medal count at the Winter Olympics for the first time since 1994 in February's Milan Cortina Games.
The country's gold and total medal numbers also dropped in the Paralympic Games in Italy compared to four years earlier in Beijing.
The Future of Sport in Canada Commission said in its final report March 24 that "there is no doubt the sport system is facing a funding crisis. The current federal funding has not kept pace with inflation of the system's demands.
"Many organizations have reduced their programs and activities, and some may even be forced to cease operating if the funding gaps persist. Inadequate resources negatively impact both the accessibility and the quality of their programs."
Lise Maisonneuve, a former chief justice of the Ontario court of justice, headed the commission and said "chronic underfunding makes sport less safe."
The commission's mandate was to provide recommendations to make Canadian sport safer and better.
The commissioner conducted cross-country consultations, gathered data from a public survey, held a two-part summit in Ottawa and issued an interim report and a final report.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 28, 2026.