Ontario Helping More Children Access Sport and Recreation
HAMILTON – The Ontario government is investing more than $1.5 million through Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities as part of the 2024-25 Inclusive Grassroots Recreation (IGR) program, to expand sport and recreation opportunities for children and youth across the province.
“Our government is proud to partner with Jumpstart and invest in community-based programs which promote physical activity, teach new skills and encourage children and youth to lead healthier lives,” said Neil Lumsden, Minister of Sport. “We believe all kids deserve access to fun, high-quality sport and recreation programs. At a time when families across Ontario are facing the threat of higher costs because of tariffs, this support will help Jumpstart continue to remove financial barriers to help more kids participate in programs in their community.”
This investment is an increase of more than $500,000 from last year, ensuring Jumpstart can help more families overcome financial and accessibility barriers to sport and recreation so that children and youth continue to have the opportunity to participate in their favourite activities.
One of Jumpstart’s community partners this year is the Fit Active Beautiful (FAB) Foundation, which provides a free running and life skills program to help girls in Hamilton’s low-income communities train for and complete a 5K run.
“As one of Canada’s largest youth charities focused on making sport more affordable and accessible, Jumpstart is grateful for the ongoing financial support from Minister Lumsden and the Ontario government,” said Marco Di Buono, President of Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. “As we mark a milestone 20 years of helping get kids off the sidelines and into the game, this investment will allow us to expand our reach and make a greater impact in the lives of Ontario’s kids through the power of sport and play.”
Quick Facts
Ontario’s investment of $1 million through Jumpstart in 2023-24 enabled more than 1 million hours of play for 20,510 children and youth.
Since its inception in 2021-22, the IGR program has provided more than 65,000 children and youth from under-represented and/or marginalized populations across Ontario with opportunities to participate in sport and recreation programming in their communities.
Quotes
“Every child deserves the chance to play. We know how important it is for young people to stay active, build connections and develop healthy habits that last a lifetime. This investment will make a meaningful difference for families across the province by expanding access to sport and recreation. I’m proud to see our government continuing to prioritize children and families with this investment.”
– Natalie Pierre
Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Sport“Our government’s investment in Jumpstart will directly benefit the children, youth and families in my riding and across the province by removing barriers to access for sport when people need it the most. This is just one more way our government, under the leadership of Premier Ford, is ensuring parents don’t have to choose between putting food on the table and having their kids learn valuable life skills and experience all the amazing things sport has to offer.”
– Monica Ciriello
MPP for Hamilton Mountain“Our program has always prioritized removing barriers to participation in sport for youth girls living in priority neighbourhoods. Thanks to funding from Jumpstart, we can provide each participant with high-quality running shoes and training shirts, allowing girls to engage fully with confidence and pride, both in our program and beyond.”
– Carol Edelkoort
Executive Director, FAB Foundation, Hamilton, Ontario
Additional Resources
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities
Supporting children and youth | Annual progress report 2024: Ontario’s Anti-Racism Strategic Plan
FAB Foundation
