Sport and Recreation budgets in Canada 2025-2026

Canada’s federal budget was released on November 4th 2025. With that, we are releasing the annual Sports for Social Impact budget highlights for all provincial and federal budgets in Canada. Measures range from tax credits to investments in infrastructure and reducing costs to access national parks.

Canada: https://budget.canada.ca/2025/home-accueil-en.html 

Sport and recreation highlights from Canada's 2025 Federal Budget:

• Renewing the Canada Strong Pass from December 12, 2025 to January 15, 2026, and then again for summer 2026. The pass provided families and young people free or discounted access to national parks, museums, galleries, and rail travel. It brought Canadians together, supported tourism, and celebrated the values that unite us. 

• Budget 2025 announces that planned federal infrastructure investments are expected to reach $115.2 billion over the next five years. It announces the creation of the Build Communities Strong Fund. $51.0 billion over 10 years, starting in 2026-27, and $3.0 billion per year ongoing in new and existing funding for this initiative, including through funding to provincial and territorial governments—and through them to municipalities—to support a wide range of infrastructure projects and help our local communities build Canada strong. This promise includes funding announced for recreation infrastructure:

  • White Rock Pier in White Rock, British Columbia; 

  • Newton Athletic Park Artificial Turf, Practice Field, Tennis Court, and Walking Path in Surrey, British Columbia;

  • Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, British Columbia; 

  • Riverview Community Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba; 

  • Dakota Community Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba; 

  • Hamilton Downtown Family YMCA in Hamilton, Ontario;

  • Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex in Orleans, Ontario; 

  • Centre sportif de Montreal-Nord in Montreal, Quebec, and;

  • Baddeck Recreation Facility in Baddeck, Nova Scotia

British Columbia: https://www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2025/default.htm 

• Budget 2025 includes $1.9 billion in capital spending by government ministries over the fiscal plan period. This will support investments in maintaining, upgrading and expanding infrastructure, such as provincial park amenities, wildfire facilities and equipment, courthouses, correctional centres, office buildings and information systems.

Alberta: https://www.alberta.ca/budget

• Capital Plan Envelopes. The Capital Plan consists of 12 funding envelopes across various program functions. Municipal Infrastructure Support accounts for the largest portion of the Capital Plan at 29 per cent. Arts, Sports and Recreation account for 1%

• The 2025 Capital Plan allocates $280 million over three years to arts, sports, and recreation, which play a vital role in making Alberta a welcoming and attractive place to live, work, and raise a family. To support this goal, Budget 2025 Capital Plan includes:

  • $100 million for the Community Facility Enhancement Program to support non-profit organizations in acquiring, constructing, upgrading, or redeveloping public use community facilities. 

  • $39 million for New Campground Development, Big Island Provincial Park, and Kananaskis Area Trail Upgrades. 

• Tourism and Sport fosters growth in tourism and sport sectors, working with Indigenous communities, non-profit organizations, and the private sector to drive expansion of the visitor economy and Alberta’s amateur sport system. Total expense is $133 million in 2025-26, $3 million lower than in 2024-25, and decreases another $12 million to $121 million by 2027-28. Capital grants increase by $5 million in 2025-26, and then drop back to $10 million per year. Operating expense declines by $8 million in 2025-26 and a further $6 million to $111 million by 2027-28, primarily from the conclusion of temporary funding for tourism initiatives and one-time funding for major sport events.

• $30 million in new funding for the SAIT Campus Centre Redevelopment project. The new campus will provide student-focused spaces that support health and well-being, campus athletics and recreation, campus life, and work-integrated learning opportunities.

Saskatchewan: https://budget.saskatchewan.ca/budget-materials

• • Doubling the Active Families Benefit refundable tax credit and raising the income threshold to qualify for it to $120,000 to make children’s sports, arts, cultural and recreational activities more affordable for more Saskatchewan families. 

• Active Families Benefit Making children’s activities more affordable for families is key to providing more equitable access and promoting youth health and wellness. To help support Saskatchewan’s youth, the benefit amount and eligible income threshold for the Active Families Benefit both doubled on January 1, 2025. In 2021, the Active Families Benefit was reintroduced and provided families earning less than $60,000 with a refundable tax credit of up to $150 per child to take part in sports and cultural activities. For a child with a disability, the benefit was up to $200. The enhancement to the benefit doubles the refundable tax credit from $150 to $300 per child. For a child with a disability, the benefit doubles from $200 to $400 per child. The eligible family income threshold will also be doubled from $60,000 to $120,000 to allow more families to claim the benefit. Doubling the benefit and the income threshold will make it more affordable for more families to access children’s sports, arts, cultural and recreational activities.

• The budget will invest $13 million in capital improvements throughout the parks system. Investments include construction of a new visitor reception centre at Danielson Provincial Park, service centre replacement at Candle Lake Provincial Park and water system upgrades at Makwa Lake Provincial Park. Improvements and upgrades will also take place at Pike Lake, Regina Beach, Saskatchewan Landing, the Battlefords, Meadow Lake, Greenwater Lake, Good Spirit Lake, Fort Carlton, Douglas, Cannington Manor, Buffalo Pound, Blackstrap and Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park.

Manitoba: https://www.gov.mb.ca/budget2025/print,index.html

• We are proud to continue our new From the Ground Up grant program focused on revitalizing communities and investing in opportunities for our children and youth. Last year this program invested $12.5 million to support sports for youth in Pinawa, Brandon, Selkirk and Thompson, as well as affordable community food programs, after school programs and job training for youth in low-income communities and many other projects run by non-profit organizations dedicated to serving communities. This year, Budget 2025 is investing an additional $1 million to support communities across the province to help kids, youth and families thrive.

• Manitoba Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Council The Manitoba Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Council (MASRC) offers programs that provide access to sport and recreation programs for Indigenous youth. This year, the council will receive $175,200 in annual operating funding from the Manitoba government, as well as $508,473 from the Bilateral Agreement on Sport Participation between Canada and Manitoba.

• Free access to provincial parks for one year

• Instead of travelling across the border, Manitoba families are looking to explore our beautiful province this summer. Budget 2025 meets that increased demand with $25 million in capital upgrades to Manitoba parks to build 8 additional yurts and upgrade campgrounds. We are also increasing operational funding for parks and trails by over $3 million with upgrades across the province including at Asessippi, Paint Lake, Hecla, Spirit Sands, Lockport, Manipogo, Birds Hill, Big Whiteshell, Mantario, Winnipeg Beach, and many others.

Ontario: https://budget.ontario.ca/2025/contents.html 

• Developing the Newly Flood Protected Port Lands Area On January 28, 2025, Ontario, along with the Government of Canada and the City of Toronto, announced $975 million to accelerate the delivery of Waterfront Toronto’s revitalization plan. Like earlier phases of waterfront revitalization, each order of government would contribute approximately one-third each, with a provincial contribution of up to $325 million over seven years. The plan includes the creation of over 14,000 new homes, including affordable rental housing, along Toronto’s waterfront at Quayside and Ookwemin Minising (formerly Villiers Island) along with the development of future waterfront destinations. Once complete, this investment will create an estimated 100,000 skilled trades jobs on Toronto’s waterfront and add $13.2 billion to the economy. This $975 million investment will make for a vibrant waterfront, for living, working and playing. With the completion of Biidaasige Park in summer 2025, Toronto’s waterfront is on track to welcome over one million people a year. To prepare for the construction of new homes beginning in 2026, site servicing work will begin in 2025 with the goal of first occupancy in 2031. This is the first and most important step in delivering the critical infrastructure that is needed for housing. This next phase of the waterfront revitalization builds on previous tri-government investments, including the $1.4 billion Port Lands Flood Protection Project. Waterfront Toronto will continue as the revitalization lead for this work, and all governments are working together to extend its legislated mandate. 

• The government also continues to expand access to services and activities for seniors through the addition of up to 100 new Seniors Active Living Centres (SALC) programs across the province. This expansion was fueled by an investment of close to $17 million over three years in additional funding approved through the 2024 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review. This also enabled the government to increase base funding to existing SALCs by 10 per cent: up to $55,000 per centre. These programs promote wellness, encourage social interaction, and combat ageism to help seniors stay active, independent and engaged within their communities. Since this investment, 97 new SALC programs have been approved, increasing the total number of SALC programs across the province to 413. This expansion enhances access to services for seniors and individuals with disabilities in underserved communities.

Quebec: https://www.finances.gouv.qc.ca/Budget_and_update/budget/index.asp

• Improving health and education services In recent years, the government has allocated considerable funds to improve the quality and accessibility of public services in the pursuit of its core missions. In Budget 2025-2026, the government is continuing to invest and plans to spend more than $6.8 billion between now and 2029-2030 to support Quebecers, including nearly $5.0 billion, with a view to: — improving the delivery of health care and social services by enhancing the accessibility and quality of health care, particularly for seniors, young people in difficulty and people experiencing homelessness; — encouraging the education and development of young people by promoting school success, improving the accessibility of childcare services, offering better services to young people and promoting participation in recreation and sports. In addition, investments of $1.9 billion are aimed at: — promoting the well-being of vulnerable individuals; — showcasing Québec’s culture and identity; — supporting communitie 

• In Budget 2025-2026, the government is implementing concrete initiatives to ensure adequate funding for promoting participation in recreation and sports. It is announcing $330 million, as follows: — $300 million over six years for developing and maintaining recreational, sports and outdoor infrastructure; — $15 million over five years for supporting participation in recreational activities by people with disabilities; — $15 million over five years for supporting student sport and developing sporting excellence in Québec. 

• Developing and maintaining recreational, sports and outdoor infrastructure In Québec, many sports, recreational and outdoor infrastructures are in need of renovation to ensure their sustainability. Moreover, some localities lack adequate infrastructure to meet the population’s needs. It is therefore crucial to modernize existing infrastructure and create new facilities to provide safe, accessible spaces that encourage regular physical activity. An envelope of $300 million was earmarked in Budget 2023-2024, and 322 projects were selected through the first call for projects under the financial assistance program for recreational, sports and outdoor infrastructure. Given the significant needs that remain, the government intends to continue delivering on its commitment to support construction and renovation projects for recreational, sports and outdoor infrastructure. To that end, additional investments of $300 million are provided for in the 2025-2035 Québec Infrastructure Plan. 

• Supporting participation in recreational activities by people with disabilities People living with physical or intellectual limitations can find it challenging to access recreational activities. They encounter numerous barriers, including a lack of support, transportation and accessible sites and facilities. The financial assistance program for regional authorities responsible for recreational activities for people with disabilities supports recreational activities for people with disabilities and facilitates their participation. In particular, this program funds the hiring of attendants needed for people with disabilities to participate in recreational activities. As part of Budget 2025-2026, investments of $15 million are planned by 2029-2030 to extend support for participation in recreational activities by people with disabilities. [3 million per year until 2029-2030]

• Supporting student sport and developing sporting excellence in Québec Government intervention in sport relies on sports federations, which are responsible for developing participation in sports. The government is helping them fulfill this responsibility by continuing to support sports federations that oversee student sport, thereby reducing costs. This funding promotes student sport without increasing the financial burden on parents. In addition, the government is continuing to fund sports federations that develop and support athletes, coaches and officials toward high performance and help them prepare, in particular, for the Canada Games. In this budget, $15 million will be invested by 2029-2030 to increase support for student sport and develop sporting excellence in Québec. [3 million per year until 2029-2030]

• The expenditures of the Transports et Mobilité durable portfolio primarily include the construction, maintenance and operation of road infrastructure as well as the funding of public transit services. They also include the management of the government’s rolling stock, air fleet and ferry services. The changes in expenditures of 13.0% in 2024-2025 and −3.5% in 2025-2026 are tied to the impact of the accounting change to take into account, in 2024-2025, work already done by public transit authorities. In 2026-2027, the 15.1% growth in expenditures is mainly due to increased investment in public and active transit assistance programs. 

New Brunswick: https://www.gnb.ca/en/gov/budget.html

• GO NB! - Taking Action Through Sport increase from 394,000 to 401,000

PEI:  https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/finance/capital-budget 

• Active Transportation 2025/2026 estimate:  1,100,000

• Childhood Recreation $200,000

• Confederation Trail $50,000

• Golf Courses $500,000

• Provincial Parks $2,250,000

Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/budget/

• Refundable Tax Credits: The cost of Refundable Tax Credits is forecast to be $26.9 million higher than Budget Estimates. Increases are anticipated for the Affordable Living Tax Credit, Capital Investment Tax Credit, Digital Animation Tax Credit, Digital Media Tax Credit, Fertility and Surrogacy Tax Credit, Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax Credit, and the Volunteer Firefighter and Ground Search and Rescue Tax Credits. The Children’s Sports and Arts Tax Credit is forecast to be lower than the estimate. 

Newfoundland: https://www.gov.nl.ca/budget/2025/ 

• $8.5 million for recreation, physical activity, and athlete and sport development, including an additional $350,000 annually to support the Newfoundland and Labrador Games

• $1.6 million for the Newfoundland and Labrador Sport Centre to assume responsibility for the operations of the Fortis Canada Games Complex and the Sport and Well-Being Dome

• $750,000 for the organization and development of the 2026 Labrador Winter Games.

• More than $800,000 to support Labrador athletes travel for organized sporting competitions, school- organized sporting events, and sport development.

• The Physical Activity Tax Credit, which is a refundable tax credit up to $348 per family to access recreational and sporting activities.

• $450,000 to modernize campground facilities in Pippy Park in advance of the summer tourism season and the 2025 Canada Games. 

• $342,500 for continued planning for a new multiplex recreational facility.