As any Saskatchewan Roughriders fan will happily admit, sports can help to make life better by providing entertainment, community spirit and a focus on healthy living.

The Honourable Helena Guergis, Secretary of State for Sport, recently announced the creation of the Canadian Heritage Sport Fund to further develop sports that have become a part of our Canadian way of life. The fund will encourage young people to take part in sports with Canadian roots, such as three-down football, wheelchair rugby, lacrosse and ringette.

Keeping young people active is an essential part of encouraging good mental and physical health. The federal government sees good value in helping Canadian youth keep active and engaged in community activities. Poor health and boredom can create all kinds of problems among young people, which may be reflected in the increasing number of gangs and escalating youth crime statistics.

The Canadian Heritage Sport Fund will focus on sports that help to solidify our heritage, national identity and culture. The fund will provide a relatively modest $1.5 million over two years to support homegrown sports, and the same amount will be allocated annually on an ongoing basis. This fund augments the unprecedented $140 million invested by the federal government this year in the Canada’s sports system. We are actively supporting participation and excellence in sport from the playground to the podium.

The federal government has also reintroduced ParticipACTION to foster mental and physical health in Canadians. Starting with the 2007 tax year, we created the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit with a value of about $160 million. The tax credit helps families to save up to $500 per child under 16 years old who is taking part in eligible activities.

Sport Canada is a department created within Heritage Canada to enhance opportunities for all Canadians to participate and excel in sport. By coordinating the Canadian sport system with the provinces and territories, Sport Canada has produced a document entitled, Canadian Sport Policy. The policy will help to improve our system by the year 2012 with increasing numbers of participants and the heights they can achieve in Canada and internationally.

Sport Canada has additional funding for participants under the Athlete Assistance Program, the Sport Support Program and the Hosting Program.

The federal government believes active participation and the quest for excellence has a net positive effect on the country as a whole, and we will continue to provide support to those who choose to pick up the torch.

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The audio version of Garry's Feb. 25, 2008 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here