The Canadian sport landscape is in dire need of a significant overhaul, according to the final report from the Future of Sport in Canada Commission. Released on March 24, 2026, the report details a system that is "broken, fragmented, and unsustainable," highlighting urgent calls for increased funding, improved safety protocols, and greater equity.
A System Under Strain
Justice Lise Maisonneuve, who headed the commission, stated that the two-year-long review process uncovered widespread issues. "As we discovered in our work, these two matters are deeply interconnected," Maisonneuve noted, referring to the safety and overall health of the sport system. The commission heard from over 1,000 individuals, including 175 survivors of abuse and maltreatment, painting a grim picture of ongoing issues at all levels of sport. The report identifies fragmented complaint mechanisms, power imbalances contributing to a culture of silence, and chronic underfunding as critical problems that have caused "real lasting harm" to many participants.
Addressing Underfunding and Safety
A central theme throughout the report is the critical link between funding and safety. "An underfunded sports system is an unsafe sports system," declared Maisonneuve. The commission's findings indicate that national sport organizations have not seen an increase in core funding for over two decades, a period during which operational costs have steadily risen. This financial strain, the report suggests, directly impacts the ability to implement and maintain safe sport environments. The report emphasizes the urgent need for increased core funding to national sport organizations, with a particular focus on athlete compensation and support.
Calls for Transformation
The commission has laid out 98 calls to action, advocating for phased-in changes over five years, with immediate implementation prioritized. Key recommendations include consolidating leadership under a single federal minister responsible for sport, supported by a dedicated department. Currently, sport falls under both the Heritage and Health portfolios, a division the commission believes hinders effective governance. The report also suggests the creation of a centralized sport entity, potentially structured as a Crown corporation, to provide unified oversight and direction for sport in Canada. This entity would aim to reconstruct and rethink program development, ensuring equity is built into the system from the outset rather than being an afterthought. The Canadian Olympic Committee CEO, David Shoemaker, has expressed optimism, viewing the report as a roadmap for necessary changes, with an immediate focus on safe sport and increased funding.
The report's release comes at a critical juncture for Canadian sport, with ongoing discussions about athlete welfare and the need for systemic reform. The federal government has indicated a commitment to revamping funding for Canadian athletes, with Prime Minister Mark Carney stating plans to address the issue deliberately over the next six months. The coming months will be crucial in determining how these recommendations translate into tangible actions to build a safer and more robust sport system for all Canadians.