Our Key Recommendations

For the purposes of this paper, the word �sport� embraces,
physical activity, physical education, competitive sport and healthy lifestyle choices.


1. EXPANDING THE ROLE OF SPORT

1.1 Access

Policy Statement:
The Government of Canada in cooperation with Provincial/Territorial Governments will develop mechanisms that increase accessibility to sport for Canadians.

Policy Objectives:
1) Canadians, with a focus on youth, who strive to participate in competitive or recreational sport at the community level will be able to do so, regardless of socio-economic status.
2) National and provincial level athletes will have the means to train and compete fully and effectively.
3) Inequities in the current system will be addressed (eg. Aborginal, disabled, women, language, geography, etc.) to ensure a stronger system for the future.

1.2 Tax Credit to Enhance Sport Participation

Policy Statement: The Government of Canada in cooperation with Provincial/Territorial Governments believes that the opportunity to participate in amateur sport is fundamental to the lifestyle of all Canadians. In order to reduce the financial barriers of sport participation, government will develop tax strategies that reward Canadians for participating in healthy activities and sponsoring those activities.

Policy Objectives:
1) The Government of Canada will create a non-refundable child sport tax credit to encourage parents to register their children in local sport and recreation programs and help alleviate the cost of sport equipment (Mills Report Recommendation #17).
2) Institute a program where athletes who have not yet reached the national team can deduct a nationally standardized amount for espoir and elite provincial team athlete training expenses (Quebec Program).
3) The Government of Canada will create a tax-exemption for training allowances, scholarships and awards for all national team athletes, not just those who are carded, and bursaries for athlete development. The tax-exemption for those who are carded will be above and beyond the carding allowance.
4) Business sponsors of amateur sport will be eligible for 150% tax deductions (Mills Report Recommendation #9).
5) To provide low-income families who choose to participate in sport at any level, with tax considerations to recognize their efforts in minimizing their impact on the health care system.


1.3 �Value of Sport� Campaign

Policy Statement: The Government of Canada in cooperation with Provincial/Territorial Governments will support programs to �brand� sport in Canada and to educate Canadians about the benefits of sport.

Policy Objectives:
1) To create and promote a brand strategy for sport in Canada. A brand will build partnership around the many levels in sport; it will unify our messages to ensure consistency and quality; and ultimately, it will lead to a strong public association with the values of sport. The brand will communicate common messages to a broad public � to engage them � to inspire them � and to fuel their desire to be part of it.
2) To create a communications strategy, which, through a variety of mediums (i.e. print, electronic, outdoor advertising, corporations, political statements and inclusion of sport-related policy in opportune public messaging by key leaders), will promote our successes through sport, instilling sustained knowledge of, and pride in, our collective accomplishments.
3) To develop and deliver an educational campaign and materials that instill in the general public a measurable awareness of the benefits accrued through sport and physical activity as a preventative health care option (ie. parents and the public would see sport as a means to better health, pride, economic well-being and social stability).
4) To establish strategic partnerships with other governments and public sector and agencies (e.g. youth at risk; injury prevention and health promotion economic development; citizenship development; environment, etc.) that promote health and an improved standard of living.

1.4 Sport and the Environment

Policy Statement: Sport and physical activity are inextricably linked to the environment through the air we breathe, water we drink, and the earth we play on. A Canadian sports system will recognize this interdependent relationship and support programs that encourage physical activity and reduce pollution.

Policy Objectives:
1) To promote the concept of sport and environment through an education/communication campaign with youth as a prime target audience.
2) To develop and support programs and initiatives to encourage physical activity and in turn reduce air and water pollution. (eg. Active Safe Routes to School � children are encouraged to walk, bike or skate to school instead of being driven.)


2. CANADA AS A LEADING SPORTING NATION

2.1 Coordinated Sport System

Policy Statement: A coordinated, efficient, flexible, expertise and excellence driven Canadian sport system, which recognizes that grass roots development feeds high performance and high performance feeds grass roots, will recommend sport policy to governments and lead the implementation of sport programming and delivery at all levels.

Policy Objectives:
1) To create a lead expertise driven body that will coordinate a matrix of all organizations and entities in the sport system (recreational to high performance) from the community, through the provincial/territorial level and up to the national level.
2) To recognize the National Sport Organizations as autonomous and as an essential link to the larger International Sports System.
3) To develop an expertise-based integrated sport system that shares best practices, maximizes efficiencies and ensures coordinated policies and programs which are flexible and adaptable to a constantly changing sports scene (eg. emerging sports allowed access to funding, etc.) and which addresses the inequities in the current system (eg. Aborginals, disabled, women, etc.)
4) To develop a sport delivery system that is coordinated, comprehensive and with partner-complimentary goals that includes such entities as the National Sport Centres, Multi-Sport and Service organizations, local community sport councils, Universities, Boards of Education, etc.

2.2 Performance Outcomes

Policy Statement: The Government of Canada in cooperation with Provincial/Territorial Governments supports the achievement of international sport performance excellence as contributing to the development of national pride and positive role models.

Policy Objectives:
1) To set specific international sport performance objectives that reflect Canada�s belief in excellence and status as a leading sporting nation.
2) To make available the resources to achieve excellence and the stated performance objectives, focusing on the appropriate training environment and competitive structure for the sport system.

3. COMPREHENSIVE ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM

3.1 National Infrastructure Program

Policy Statement: The Government of Canada in cooperation with Provincial/Territorial governments believes that:
- in order to mobilize large numbers of Canadians;
- to optimally develop athletes; and
- to provide mass opportunities to benefit from the sport experience, sport facilities need to be available in all regions of the country on an equitable basis.

Policy Objectives:
1) To ensure better access for all Canadians to existing facilities.
2) To improve and upgrade existing facilities.
3) To ensure the construction and access to new facilities that meet standards for international competition in locations where the most Canadians can benefit.
4) To ensure that facility access and usage is linked to #2.1, Canada�s Coordinated Sports System.


3.2 Support for Athletes
Policy Statement: The Government of Canada in cooperation with Provincial/Territorial Governments believes that a comprehensive athlete development system designed to achieve excellence in international results, requires basic assistance for developing Junior/Espoir/Developmental athletes that are still within the provincial/club system.


Policy Objectives:
1) That all National Team Members are carded whether or not their sport is recognized.
2) To ensure all Junior/Espoir/Developmental athletes who have been identified by a national system of talent identification will have access to support (ie. expertise in coaching, etc.) that ensures their ability to train at a standard established by their respective national sport organization. Include all athletes who qualify for Canada Games, Commonwealth Games, Pan Ams, Jeux de la Francophonie, Olympics, regardless of sport recognition.
3) To ensure a broadened base of athletes with the skills, fitness and experience to evolve to the international level of a top ten performance.
4) To implement mechanisms that respect the personal and family resources committed to the development of a high performance athlete. An income based tax credit will be developed by the Government of Canada to assist families with the financial demands of developing an athlete to a competency level where the system will then support their elite aspirations.

4. LEADERSHIP

4.1 Partnership Leadership Roles

Policy Statement: A Canadian sport system will recognize, support and value the leadership roles of all partners in sport.

Policy Objectives:
1) To promote athlete involvement in decision making as it affects their participation in sport and their role in the sport community.
2) To ensure all coaches, officials, administrators and volunteers will abide by a code of conduct (ie. adhere to a set of values and principles).
3) To develop programs that ensure recruitment, orientation, training, rewarding, on-going education, expertise and skill development of professional staff and volunteer leaders (coaches, officials, administrators, sport scientists, and sport medical practitioners) in the sport system.
4) The Government of Canada will recognize the value of sport to Canadians by creating a Ministry which includes Sport and Fitness.
5) 5) To create the capacity for bilateral agreements, new legislation and new policy.

4.2 Coach Employment Strategy

Policy Statement: The Government of Canada in cooperation with Provincial/Territorial Governments, understands the need for competent, trained, technical and expertise driven leadership to manage the qualitative development of athletes in our amateur sport system at all levels. As a result, it is committed to programs and support mechanisms that significantly add to the pool of experts and professionals working as sport coaches and technical directors.

Policy Objectives:
1) To develop cost sharing programs that provide two thirds of standardized salaries for coaches and technical directors, in all regions of the country (eligibility criteria to be determined).
2) To create employment opportunities for experts in coaching that will be made equitably available to organizations at all levels (community, provincial & national).
3) To create employment support that will be for a minimum of 5-year terms with the intention of creating longer term, self-sustaining revenue streams through more indirect measures such as tax relief for corporate sponsors that take on the program.


4.3 International Sport Development

Policy Statement: The Government of Canada in cooperation with Provincial/Territorial Governments believes in the power and influence of sport as a tool to develop individuals, communities and nations.

Policy Objectives:
1) To contribute to Canada�s development agenda through the sharing of Canadian best practices and through the use of sport as a development tool.
2) To put in place clear strategies that position and support the advancement of Canadian sport priorities (e.g. doping, accountability framework, ADR, Women in Sport, Athletes with a Disability, Aboriginal).
3) To promote and position Canadians in key positions of influence within the international federations and organizations.
4) To create incentives for International Federations to house in Canada.


5. HOSTING

5.1 International Single, Multi-Sport Hosting Events

Policy Statement: The Government of Canada encourages the hosting of multi and single sport events at the international level. It is believed that this can provide Canadians (athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers, youth, children, parents, fans, etc.) with opportunities to come together and experience sport at its highest level; to showcase Canadian culture and Canada as a leader in sport to the rest of the world, while building pride and unity within our nation (Leveraging investment in Sport Development).

Policy Objectives:
1) To develop an international hosting plan for Canada for major multi-sport and single sport events.
2) Funding to support best ever performances at major international events to be hosted in Canada.
3) To integrate, as part of the national hosting plan, a training and professional development plan for Canadian coaches, officials and volunteers.
4) To integrate a legacy plan as part of the national hosting plan.

5.2 Domestic Single and Multi-Sport Hosting Events

Policy Statement: Governments and Franchise Holders will pursue opportunities for young Canadians to come together and test their pursuit of excellence, expand their knowledge and appreciation of the diversity of Canada, while building communities and pride in Canada.

Policy Objectives:
1) To develop an integrated national plan that harmonizes single sport and multi-sport competitive opportunities for youth (i.e. Provincial Games, Canada Games, inter-provincial opportunities, etc.)
2) To continue to support the Canada Games and include Regional Games representation on the Canada Games Council Board.
3) To coordinate Provincial/Territorial Games on an annual or bi-annual basis.
4) To support the hosting of single sport National Championships within communities;
5) To integrate, as part of the national hosting plan, a training and professional development plan for Canadian coaches, officials and volunteers.
6) To integrate a legacy plan as part of each hosting plan.

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