The Ontario government is investing more than $1.5 million through Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities to expand access to sport and recreation for children and youth across the province, officials announced last week.
The funding comes as part of the 2024-25 Inclusive Grassroots Recreation (IGR) program, marking an increase of over $500,000 from last year’s investment. The program aims to remove financial and accessibility barriers to help more young people participate in sports and physical activities in their communities.
“Our government is proud to partner with Jumpstart and invest in community-based programs that promote physical activity, teach new skills and encourage children and youth to lead healthier lives,” said Neil Lumsden, Ontario’s Minister of Sport, in a statement.
“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 participation.”
One of this year’s featured community partners is Hamilton’s Fit Active Beautiful (FAB) Foundation, which runs a free program to help girls in low-income neighbourhoods train for and complete a 5K run while developing life skills.
Carol Edelkoort, executive director of the FAB Foundation, said the funding helps ensure that each participant receives high-quality running shoes and training shirts. “This allows girls to engage fully with confidence and pride, both in our program and beyond,” she said.
Jumpstart president Marco Di Buono welcomed the support from the province, saying the investment will extend the charity’s reach at a milestone moment.
“As we mark 20 years of helping get kids off the sidelines and into the game, this investment will allow us to make a greater impact in the lives of Ontario’s kids through the power of sport and play,” Di Buono said.
Natalie Pierre, parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Sport, emphasized the lasting impact of accessible programming.
“Every child deserves the chance to play,” she said. “This investment will make a meaningful difference for families across the province by expanding access to sport and recreation.”
Hamilton Mountain MPP Monica Ciriello said the investment reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring affordability for families.
“Our government’s investment in Jumpstart will directly benefit the children, youth and families in my riding and across the province,” she said. “Parents shouldn’t have to choose between putting food on the table and giving their kids access to sport.”
The Ontario government invested $1 million in Jumpstart in 2023-24, supporting more than one million hours of play for over 20,000 children and youth.
Since its launch in 2021-22, the Inclusive Grassroots Recreation program has helped more than 65,000 children and youth from underrepresented or marginalized communities participate in local sports programming, Provincial officials added.
For more information, visit jumpstart.canadiantire.ca.
