Trudeau Liberals award $450,000 for Indigenous, LGBTQ+ communities to ride bikes

On Friday, the Trudeau Liberals announced that Canada would be spending nearly half a million dollars to fund a program aimed at encouraging members of various minority groups to ride bikes.

The funding is set to be given to Cycling Canada as part of the Community Sport for All Initiative. 



According to the government, the $450,000 "investment" will "allow Cycling Canada to support community-led projects that aim to remove barriers and increase participation in recreational sport for underrepresented groups such as Black, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQI+, newcomers and those with disabilities."

The organization's director of community growth, Robyn Skinner, praised the move, suggesting it would "provide opportunities for more equity-deserving groups to discover HopOn and begin their journey on a bicycle.” HopOn is a program that teaches children across the country how to ride safely.

The move was announced by Minister of Sport Pascale St-Onge.
 

"One of our government's top priorities is helping Canadians pursue healthier lifestyles," he said, noting that, "there are still major barriers to sport today."

"That," he continued, "is why we are investing in organizations like Cycling Canada, which will help solidify our commitment to building stronger and healthier communities across the country. Together, we will make sport more inclusive, equitable, and accessible to everyone in Canada."

The Trudeau Liberals have been committed to increasing the participation of all Canadians in sport. Budget 2021 proposed nearly $80 million over two years for the Community Sport for All initiative, with numerous organizations such as Canadian Blind Hockey and Right to Play receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars each.

"Sport plays an important role in building self-esteem and leadership skills," St. Onge stated, "which allow people to grow and thrive physically, emotionally and socially. It should be accessible to everyone and become the basis for our children, who all deserve the opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity.”