Federal funding to support community sports in Brampton 'a beautiful investment,' mayor says
CBC
Brampton's Mayor Patrick Brown has welcomed an announcement of $175,000 in financial support from the federal government for community sport activities to 25 local organizations in the city.
National-level organizations that are receiving funding through the Community Sport for All Initiative are distributing the money.
"I welcome the federal announcement to help underrepresented groups get involved in sports. I think sports is a preventative health care. It is encouraging healthy, active lifestyles, and at a time when we have rising rates of childhood obesity," Brown told CBC Toronto.
"...If there [are] young girls in our community that may not be able to afford a soccer league or equipment [and] are now going to be able to play, that's a beautiful investment."
Minister of Sport Pascale St-Onge made the announcement during a visit Saturday with Brams United Girls Soccer Club, one of the community organizations receiving funding from ParticipACTION.
St-Onge heard about the tremendous work the non-profit organization does to empower girls through the sport of soccer, helping them build self-confidence in a positive environment while providing a place to make friends, stay active and have fun.
"Support for community sport reinforces the government of Canada's commitment to building stronger and healthier communities," St-Onge said.
"Sport plays an important role in building self-esteem and leadership skills, which allow people to grow and thrive physically, emotionally and socially. It should be accessible to all. Everyone deserves the opportunity to take part in sport and physical activity."
Cathy Senior, club president, Brams United Soccer Club, said the Community Sport for All Initiative is helping community organizations provide opportunities for youth to participate and stay active in an environment that is safe, welcoming, and inclusive.
"We are grateful for this funding, which helps our club continue to provide equitable soccer and physical literacy programs in Brampton," Senior said.
Michael Gyovai, a volunteer with Brampton Sports Alliance, and Desmond Gardner, manager of recreation coaching for Brampton Soccer Club, both welcome the funding.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for our communities, especially our vulnerable community and marginalized community, and being able to get our kids out of the house, back into sport," Gyovai told CBC Toronto.
"We've seen … the last few years with COVID, prolonged isolation, and knowing that kids can get active and learn the life skills of sport can provide this amazing opportunity for our children, youth and families."
For his part, Gardner said the initiative is "great."
A Calgary dentist who defrauded five insurance companies over a decade should spend up to three years in prison, the prosecution argued Friday.
B.C. Conservation Officer Service says it has called off its search for a bear responsible for an attack on a group of school children in Bella Coola, B.C. on Nov. 20.
The union president called it a rally for solidarity as Iqaluit Housing Authority employees gathered Friday while negotiations are ongoing between the Nunavut Employees Union and the employer.
The federal government is stoking Quebec separatism by walking back its climate commitments — including in its recent deal with Alberta — Liberal MP and former cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault says.
Four more Alberta MLAs are facing recall petitions organized by their constituents, including the first NDP representative to be caught in the province's ongoing wave of recall efforts.
Frank Gehry, the Canadian-born renegade architect behind some of the world's most recognizable buildings, has died at 96.
Hundreds of P.E.I. parents can't find child-care spaces, especially for infants. The provincial government says expanding those spots remains a top priority — and it recognizes the concern.
An Alberta judge says a referendum proposal on Alberta separating from Canada goes against Charter and and Treaty rights, in a decision given less than 24 hours after the provincial government introduced legislation that would have ended the court proceeding.
The architect of Alberta's politician recall legislation says it was never meant to be used as a political weapon, but as an "ultimate tool of accountability" if a politician engages in illegal or unethical behaviour.
The Government of Saskatchewan has introduced its long-promised involuntary treatment legislation on the final day of the fall sitting.
The Law Society of Ontario has suspended the licence of Deepak Paradkar, one of seven Canadians arrested in connection with alleged drug lord Ryan Wedding’s cocaine smuggling ring.
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) is getting rid of unlimited mental health benefits for staff, blaming ballooning costs and former administrators for implementing it without proper due diligence or oversight.
Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery's TV and film studios and streaming division for $72 billion US, a deal that would hand control of one of Hollywood's most prized and oldest assets to the streaming pioneer that has upended the media industry.