The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) supports the new Canadian Sport Policy 2025-2035. This renewed national framework emphasizes inclusion, reconciliation, and community well-being in sport participation. This support demonstrates the GNWT's commitment to building a safe, accessible, and culturally relevant sport system for all residents of the Northwest Territories (NWT).

The Canadian Sport Policy (CSP) is closely aligned with the NWT Active Living Framework 2023-2033, which encourages sustainable sport and recreation participation, particularly in remote and Indigenous communities. The CSP was developed through extensive engagement with over 5,000 Canadians and over 500 sport organizations. This engagement resulted in a policy that better reflects the diverse needs and values of Canadian communities.

In the NWT, sport and recreation play a vital role in promoting health, education, and social cohesion. The CSP supports this approach by prioritizing Indigenous leadership, providing equitable access, and building local capacity. It also highlights the importance of creating safe environments for sport and recognizing athlete performance.

From 2022 to 2026, the GNWT and the Government of Canada jointly invested more than $808,000 annually in the NWT ($414,430 for the GNWT and $393,570 for Canada) in sport development initiatives. This includes supporting the development of physical activity culture, the implementation of safe sports, the development of coaches and leaders, and the participation of Team NWT in national and international events, such as the Arctic Winter Games and the North American Indigenous Games.

Moving forward, the NWT will continue to integrate the CSP's strategic priorities when planning actions under the NWT Active Living Framework 2023-2033. This alignment aims to support a sport system that is inclusive, values-driven, and responsive to community needs.

Quote:
“The Canadian Sport Policy, which brings a renewed and inclusive vision for sport to the Northwest Territories, is closely similar to the NWT Active Living Framework. It emphasizes culturally relevant and community-led sport and recreation, with a particular focus on supporting Indigenous leadership, reconciliation, and equitable access to sport for remote and underserved communities. It helps build local capacity, encourages great northern athletes, and promotes sport as a tool for health, education, and social cohesion.”

            – Vince McKay , Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs

Quick Facts

• On August 9, 2025, federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) ministers responsible for sport, physical activity and recreation approved the Canadian Sport Policy 2025-2035.
• This policy is based on values such as inclusion, accessibility, equity, safety and community building.
• FPT policy and government priorities for concerted action in sport will support the development of future bilateral funding agreements and sports development and participation programmes.
• From 2022 to 2026, the GNWT and the Government of Canada jointly invested more than $808,000 annually in the NWT ($414,430 for the GNWT and $393,570 for Canada) in sport development initiatives, including Indigenous sport programs through the NWT Aboriginal Sport Circle.
• Additional one-time funding was provided in 2024: $100,000 was provided to support Team NWT's travel to the 2024 Arctic Winter Games in Mat-Su, Alaska.
• The NWT Active Living Framework 2023-2033 provides a strategic approach to recreation, sport and physical activity across the NWT.

Related links

• Canadian Sport Policy 2025–2035 
• 2025 Conference of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers Responsible for Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation
• Report on what we heard from the Sports Information Centre (SIRC)
• NWT Active Living Framework 2023-2033

Media representatives are asked to contact:
Peter Tah
Senior Communications and Planning Advisor
Department of Municipal and Community Affairs
Government of the Northwest Territories
Peter_Tah@gov.nt.ca
867-767-9162 ext. 21012