Skip to main content

Measuring the Impact of Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation in Canada

New Research Shows Powerful Impact of Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation (SPAR) Investment

SHOW ME THE FOUR PILLARS

Join the Movement: Support investment in SPAR to build the Canada of our future

We invite decision-makers, sector audiences, and community members to embrace SPAR as a crucial sector for Canada’s future. Through strategic SPAR investments, we can collectively enhance the social, health, economic, and environmental wellbeing of our nation.

LET’S WORK TOGETHER

LET’S WORK TOGETHER

LET’S WORK TOGETHER

To create a healthier, happier, sustainable, and more resilient Canada.

KEEP ME INFORMED

By providing my email address, I agree to have this information shared with both CPRA and CFLRI.

SPAR Investment

What is SPAR?

The Four Pillars of Impact

Social Impact

Social

Sport, physical activity, and recreation are powerful agents of social transformation, contributing an estimated $13.6 B annually through volunteerism alone.

» Learn More

Health Impact

Health

Physical inactivity accounts for $3.9 B of annual health care expenditures. Integrating SPAR into daily life boosts public health, improves physical and mental well-being, and reduces the economic burden of physical inactivity.

» Learn More

Economic Impact

Economy

The SPAR sector plays a vital role in Canada’s economy, contributing $37.2 B annually, offering direct and indirect economic benefits.

» Learn More

Environmental Impact

Environment

SPAR can help build climate-resilient communities. The replacement value of aging SPAR infrastructure is estimated at $42.5 B. Improving the physical and built environment can result in benefits that span across the economy.

» Learn More

Resources

Acknowledgements

The Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute (CFLRI) and the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) thank Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton for their important contributions to the data contained within this report. CFLRI and CPRA also thank Parks Canada, the Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (SPARC), and the Canadian Training Network for Parks and Recreation (CTNPR) for funding this initiative. Without this support, this project would not have been possible. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of these agencies.

We also acknowledge and thank the Expert Committee and the Knowledge Mobilization Committee for providing us with their time, guidance and expertise.