MILAN — Canadian Olympic officials are calling on the federal government to increase investment in grassroots and high-performance sport, warning that athletes risk being “left behind” as other countries expand spending on coaching and sports science.
The comments came as Canada wrapped the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics with 21 medals, a total below recent Winter Games performances and short of the Canadian Olympic Committee’s stated ambition of finishing in the top five of the medal standings.
Canada sport funding at centre of closing message
Speaking at a final press conference, Canadian Olympic Committee chief sport officer Eric Myles said national sport organizations are cutting back on core activities, including training camps.
Myles cited cross-country skiing as an example, saying budget constraints prevented the team from holding a camp bringing national groups together. He said other countries are investing more heavily in coaching, sport science and support systems, while Canada is “making do.”
David Shoemaker, the Canadian Olympic Committee’s CEO and secretary general, framed the funding debate as broader than medal results, describing sport as part of national development and identity.
Canada’s 21 medals marked the fewest at a Winter Olympics in more than two decades, officials said, as they argued that a flat funding level over roughly 20 years has eroded capacity when inflation and costs of competing have risen.
Officials warn of growing “pay-to-play” pressures
Jennifer Heil, Canada’s chef de mission for the Milano-Cortina Games, said stagnant funding is pushing costs onto athletes and families and contributes to athletes leaving sport earlier than planned.
Heil said Canadian athletes were spending about $25,000 on average per individual to compete in Italy, a figure she said can force families to choose a single Olympic cycle to support. She also said some support staff at the Games were concerned about job security in the coming year.
Shoemaker said Canadian officials believe Canada is being outspent by peer nations on both per-capita and total bases, making it more difficult to remain competitive.
$144 million request, and Ottawa’s response
The Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee have sought an additional $144 million in annual federal funding for national sport organizations, an increase they said would help offset inflation since core funding levels were set. The request was not included in the federal budget tabled in November.
A spokesperson for the Secretary of State for Sport said core funding for sport organizations has remained constant but argued Ottawa has added new funding streams, including $3.11 million for mental health initiatives, additional support through the Athlete Assistance Program, and the Community Sport for All Initiative.
Canadian Olympic officials said they intend to keep pressing the federal government, arguing that without new investment the impact will extend from elite programs down through the sport development pipeline.
