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.
The sport, physical activity and recreation sector (“SPAR”) plays a crucial role in fostering healthy individuals, inclusive communities, and a thriving economy. Until now, economic assessments on the impact of SPAR in Canada, have been limited, dated or disparate.
The Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute (CFLRI) and the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) have partnered to provide innovative new research, tools and resources that demonstrate the multifaceted impact and value of the SPAR sector.
Discover how strategic SPAR investments can significantly uplift our communities and help Canada achieve its national goals.
Join the Movement: Support investment in SPAR to build the Canada of our future
LET’S WORK TOGETHER
LET’S WORK TOGETHER
LET’S WORK TOGETHER
To create a healthier, happier, sustainable, and more resilient Canada.
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SPAR Investment
New research shows that investing in the sector has the potential to create a ripple effect that can lead to improved physical and mental health outcomes, help mitigate the effects of climate change, generate revenue, create jobs, and encourage social cohesion and community engagement.
The Measuring Impact of SPAR initiative has produced its first report:
What is SPAR?
Sport, physical activity and recreation covers things like team sports, athletics, walking and movement, and gardening, as well as venues like parks, community centres, and pools.
The Four Pillars of Impact
Our research provides an emerging picture and will be continually updated as more data sources become available to help refine the impact, value and benefits of SPAR. Given this, some results are likely to be underestimates.
NOTE: Given that the impact numbers in the four areas of focus (social, health, economic, and environment) assess different constructs or concepts, these amounts cannot be added together. They must be considered individually, as in some cases they reflect positive contributions to society whereas others represent costs.
Resources
We understand decision makers from all levels of government and sector professionals need research and evidence to make sound proposals when preparing, evaluating, and debating policies, programs and other initiatives. We have created this resource library, complete with data infographics, social media assets, FAQs, and key messages to help disseminate this report in an accessible format. Please feel free to download and use these resources in your work.
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.
