Sport Canada Supports Refugee Children's Sport Participation Through Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities

GATINEAU, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - June 20, 2016) - Department of Canadian Heritage

The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, and the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, today announced $450,000 in additional support from the Government of Canada to Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities (CTJS). This funding, provided through Sport Canada's Sport Support Program, provides children from refugee and immigrant families with the opportunity to enjoy organized sport and recreation activities with other kids in their new communities. Sport will help these children make new friends as they rebuild their lives in Canada.

Tweet

Refugee and immigrant kids connect to their new communities through sport, thanks to #GC support for @ctjumpstart #WelcomeRefugees

Quick Facts

• Canadian Tire Jumpstart is a national charity dedicated to providing Canadian children aged 4 to 18 from low-income families with opportunities to experience the benefits of organized sport and physical activity.
• The additional funding of $450,000, from Sport Canada's Sport Support Program, lets children from refugee and immigrant families access sports such as soccer, basketball and hockey, as well as take part in other initiatives such as learn-to-skate and learn-to-swim programs.
• Refugee and immigrant children have already been included in two Jumpstart Games events, which offered them with a fun day of play to help build teamwork skills and socialize with other young people in their new communities.
• The Government of Canada, through Sport Canada, has supported Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities since its launch in 2005 by providing over $9.7 million in direct support. This has given an additional 97,000 kids the opportunity to participate in organized sport.

Quotes

"Sport and cultural activities are important inclusion tools. The Canadian Tire Jumpstart program understands that nurturing the body and mind through active play and joining in team-building activities will give our newly arrived refugees a good start as they begin their life in Canada."

-The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Persons with a Disability

"I am proud that so many Canadian individuals and organizations-including Jumpstart-have enthusiastically supported the efforts to make our new friends and neighbours feel welcome. Our country has a long history of welcoming immigrants and refugees, and this diversity enriches our society."

-The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

"In addition to helping kids stay active, taking part in sports and other forms of organized recreation helps to build a foundation of confidence, self-discipline, social skills and teamwork that can make a lasting contribution to success in every aspect of a child's life. Thanks to ongoing support from the Government of Canada, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities can give even more children an equal opportunity to play and interact with their community."

-Landon French, President, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities

Associated Links

#WelcomeRefugees

Canadian Tire Jumpstart

Canada.ca/Sport

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