Ontario Helping More Children Access Sport and Recreation

The Ontario government says it 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.