TORONTO, February 8, 2008 – At an event today in Toronto, the Honourable Helena Guergis, Secretary of State (Foreign Affairs and International Trade) (Sport), announced that the Government of Canada would provide additional funding in support of the Canadian Tire JumpStart program (CTJS).
“The Government of Canada is pleased to announce this additional contribution of $500,000 to the Canadian Tire JumpStart program,” said Secretary of State Guergis. “This important program provides children in financial need with an opportunity to get active and participate in sports and recreation such as hockey, dance, soccer and swimming.”
Incorporated in 1999, the Canadian Tire Foundation for Families is a charitable, not-for-profit organization whose mandate is to provide financial support to charitable organizations and families in communities across Canada. The Government of Canada provides annual funding of $250,000 to support CTJS.
In addition to its charitable work, in February 2005, the Foundation launched the Canadian Tire JumpStart program. National in scope but local in focus, Canadian Tire JumpStart provides opportunities to participate in sport and recreation for children in financial need through a Canadian-wide network of local chapters, made up of a variety of community leaders committed to helping kids get active, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, the YMCA, and Parks and Recreation. These community partners are joined by Canadian Tire Associate Dealers and Petroleum Agents, and together the chapters identify children in financial need who would benefit from the program.
“Canadian Tire JumpStart believes that no child should be denied the life benefits of organized sport and recreation; however the reality is that one in three Canadian families cannot afford to enroll their children in these kinds of activities, said Martha Billes, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Canadian Tire Foundation for Families. “Thanks to this gift from Sport Canada, together with CTJS, we will provide an opportunity for an additional 5,000 kids across Canada to get involved in a sport or recreation activity of their choice this year—a chance they may not have otherwise had.”
Since its inception, CTJS has provided over 100,000 financially disadvantaged children across Canada with an opportunity to realize the benefits of physical activity. Funding from CTJS supports registration fees, equipment, or transportation costs.
The Government of Canada has also demonstrated its commitment to promoting participation in sport and physical activity by committing funding to a revitalized ParticipACTION and by introducing the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit. This initiative, valued at $160 million per year, will help Canadian families and children participate in sports in their communities.
The Government of Canada is the single largest contributor to sport and provides over
$140 million to support participation and excellence in sport from the playground to the podium.
Information
Jeffrey Kroeker
Director of Communications and Parliamentary Affairs
Office of the Honourable
Helena Guergis, P.C., M.P.
Secretary of State (Foreign Affairs and International Trade) (Sport)
613 995-1293
Lisa Gibson
Canadian Tire Corporation
(416) 544-7655
lgibson@cantire.com
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief,
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101