Overcoming Barriers: How Canadian Organizations Are Addressing Challenges for New to Canada Participants

As Canada continues to welcome newcomers from around the world, the landscape of sport and physical activity is evolving. The inclusion of New to Canada Participants into the fabric of Canadian sport is not just a matter of inclusivity; it’s an opportunity to enrich our communities and strengthen the foundation of our national sporting culture. However, this faces numerous challenges that require thoughtful solutions and dedicated efforts from organizations across the country.

The Sport for Life’s resource, “Sport for Life for Every New to Canada Participant 2.1,” identifies twelve key barriers that stand between New to Canada Participants and full engagement in sports and physical activities. These barriers range from financial constraints to cultural misunderstandings, from language difficulties to experiences of discrimination. Understanding these challenges is the first step toward creating a more inclusive sporting environment.

This article examines each of these barriers, exploring their nuances and impacts. More importantly, it highlights the innovative and inspiring work being done by organizations across Canada to dismantle these obstacles. From coast to coast, dedicated groups are implementing creative solutions that not only address immediate challenges but also pave the way for long-term, systemic change in how we approach inclusivity in sports.

1. Financial Barriers

Many New to Canada Participants arrive with limited financial resources, often prioritizing necessities over sport participation. The costs associated with equipment, registration fees, and facility rentals can be prohibitive. For instance, in some sports like hockey, there are additional “hidden” costs such as tournament fees or travel expenses that can catch families off guard.

Examples of organizations addressing this barrier:

• KidSport and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities provide grants to eligible participants demonstrating financial need. These national programs have helped thousands of children access sports that would otherwise be out of reach financially.
• The Calgary Flames Sports Bank in Alberta offers hockey and other sport equipment to families in need. This initiative not only reduces the financial burden but also promotes sustainability by reusing equipment.
• The City of Toronto utilizes the Welcome Policy, a subsidy provided to low-income individuals and families, enabling them to participate in the city’s sport and recreation programs. This policy has been particularly effective in increasing participation in areas with high concentrations of low-income residents.

2. Transportation Challenges

Lack of access to personal vehicles or unfamiliarity with public transit systems can make it difficult for New to Canada Participants to attend activities. This barrier is especially significant for families with multiple children participating in different activities or when practices and games are scheduled at inconvenient times.

Examples of organizations addressing this barrier:

• Transit authorities in cities like Ottawa, Guelph, and Halifax offer free transit to refugees for up to one year upon arrival. This initiative helps newcomers familiarize themselves with the city’s transportation system and reduces the financial burden of commuting to sports activities.
• Transit authorities such as the Toronto Transit Commission have adopted a policy of free rides for children under the age of 12.
• The Newcomer Youth Bike Project in Fredericton, New Brunswick provides free bicycles and cycling equipment to New to Canada Participants. This initiative not only solves a transportation issue but also promotes physical activity and independence.

3. Time Commitment

The demands of settling into a new country often leave little time for sport participation. New to Canada Participants may be juggling language classes, job searches, and helping their children adapt to new schools, making it challenging to commit to regular sports schedules.

Examples of organizations addressing this barrier:

• The Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre offers drop-in sport programs at various times throughout the day, free of charge for children and youth. This flexibility allows families to participate when it fits their schedule, rather than having to commit to a rigid program.
• The Toronto District School Board hosts an adult high school soccer tournament for their adult education students, many of whom are New to Canada Participants. This event provides a dedicated time for physical activity that fits within their educational schedule.
• Sport in PEYO where Park-Extension Youth Organization runs SlapPX Hockey and Cricket at flexible times to suit the availability of the participants.

4. Organizational Policies and Practices

The structure and organization of Canadian sports can be confusing for those unfamiliar with the system. Registration processes, volunteer requirements, and league structures may differ significantly from those in their countries of origin, leading to misunderstandings and missed opportunities for participation.

Examples of organizations addressing this barrier:

• The Ontario Soccer Association published “New Canadians and Sport: A Resource for Grassroots Sport” to help sport leaders create an inclusive environment within their club, association, or community. This resource provides practical guidance on how to adapt policies and practices to be more welcoming to New to Canada Participants.
• The NHL/NHLPA First Shift Program offers an accessible, affordable, and safe introduction to hockey for new-to-hockey families. Upon completion, a Transition Program provides families with a path forward to assist with continued participation in hockey and help them navigate the sport system.
• The City of Calgary Sport Hub in Alberta helps families connect and navigate community programs including sport and recreation.

5. Unfamiliarity with Sport

Many New to Canada Participants may be unfamiliar with popular Canadian sports like ice hockey, lacrosse, or curling. This lack of knowledge can create hesitation in participation and a need for introductory programs. Additionally, the rules, equipment, and culture surrounding these sports may be completely foreign to newcomers.

Examples of organizations addressing this barrier:

• Sport Calgary offers an All Sport One Day event that brings together different sports at various facilities across the city for a free day of sport discovery for kids. This event allows New to Canada Participants to try multiple sports in a low-pressure environment.
• The Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame and PISE host an annual Family Sport and Recreation Festival in Victoria, BC. The festival is free of charge and offers more than 30 activities for kids and families to try. It’s promoted to New to Canada Participants through local settlement agencies.
• The Whistler Sliding Centre offers public programs to introduce people to sports such as bobsleigh and skeleton. These programs provide a unique opportunity for New to Canada Participants to experience winter sports they may have never encountered before.

6. Lack of Information

There is often a gap in accessible information about available sports programs, assistance programs, and how to get involved. This barrier is compounded when information is not available in multiple languages or through channels that New to Canada Participants typically use. Many newcomers may not know where to look for sports information or may not be aware of the range of activities available to them.

Examples of organizations addressing this barrier:

• The Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, City of Halifax, and Sport Nova Scotia host a Winter by the Sea event to educate New to Canada Participants on winter activities and provide information about local sport organizations. This event combines practical experience with information sharing.
• Various associations for New to Canada Participants, such as those in PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador, have created comprehensive guides about local services and resources, including information about sports and recreation opportunities and how to get involved.
• Services such as 311 non-emergency systems have become a central hub for information about municipal programs and services in various Canadian communities. These systems often offer translation services, making them invaluable to New to Canada Participants seeking information about local sports programs.

7. Language and Communication

Language barriers can make it challenging for New to Canada Participants to understand instructions, rules, or registration processes. This can lead to misunderstandings, feelings of exclusion, and reluctance to participate. The technical language used in sports can be particularly difficult for those still learning English or French.

Examples of organizations addressing this barrier:

• The Newcomer Youth Participation in Sports program in Fredericton, NB works closely with the Multicultural Association of Fredericton staff members, who speak over 30 languages, to ensure New to Canada youth are aware of and comfortable accessing the program.
• Soccer programs in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Halifax, Nova Scotia have been started by local champions for New to Canada Participants. These programs ensure that interpreters and community members who can speak the participants’ languages are present to assist with communication.
• In Montreal’s Park-Extension neighbourhood, where many New to Canada Participants do not speak or read French or English, the Park-Extension Youth Organization coaches go from classroom to classroom in local schools to explain how children can register for sports programs and who to contact for financial assistance.

8. Competing Interests

New to Canada Participants may prioritize education, work, and learning the language and culture over physical activity and sports. They may not see the value of sports participation in their integration process or may feel that time spent on sports takes away from other important settlement activities.

Examples of organizations addressing this barrier:

• The Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport partnered with the Sport for Life Society to provide physical literacy training in the Ontario’s After-School Program. This initiative integrates physical activity with other after-school priorities, making it easier for families to participate without sacrificing other important activities.
• Football Hockey Link in Calgary, AB has found that through their program, New to Canada parents realized the importance of sport in keeping kids active, healthy, and involved in positive activities. This program helps shift perceptions about the value of sports participation.

9. Political and Cultural

Cultural differences in sport preferences, gender roles in sport, and past political conflicts can influence participation choices and comfort levels in certain sports or with certain groups. Some cultures may have different attitudes towards competition, physical contact in sports, or mixed-gender activities.

Examples of organizations addressing this barrier:

• The International Women of Saskatoon is an organization that provides support, programs, and services that respond to the needs of New to Canada women and their families in Saskatchewan. They offer NextGen Girls Summer Program that include sports, games, and recreation activities along with the opportunity for youth to develop skills, leadership, and empowerment to be positive role models in the community.
• Canadian Women & Sport delivered a national Newcomer Girls and Young Women On the Move project from 2011-2014, designed to increase opportunities for New to Canada girls and young women to participate and lead in sport and physical activity, addressing cultural barriers specific to this group.
• The Newcomer Sport Program in Victoria, BC included training local sport and recreation leaders on cultural diversity to enhance their understanding and help them be more welcoming of New to Canada Participants in their programs.

10. Integration into Mainstream Leagues

Some New to Canada Participants may prefer to play in leagues with others from their country of origin, potentially hindering integration into mainstream Canadian sports programs. While these culturally specific leagues can provide comfort and familiarity, they may limit opportunities for broader community integration.

Examples of organizations addressing this barrier:

• Football Hockey Link in Calgary, AB is committed to supporting the integration of culturally diverse children and youth into Canadian society by facilitating their involvement in Canadian football and hockey associations. This program acts as a bridge between culturally specific and mainstream sports participation.
• The Canadian Intramural Recreation Association (CIRA Ontario) acts as a gateway to mainstream sports by facilitating opportunities for participants to learn new sports in recreational intramural settings. This low-pressure environment can help New to Canada Participants build confidence before joining mainstream leagues.
• The Community Partnership Network in Greater Victoria, BC, which includes local sport and recreation organizations, is committed to building diverse, welcoming, and inclusive communities. Members work to develop their capacity to promote and support the integration of New to Canada Participants into the community through sports.

11. Perceptions of Certain Sports

Misconceptions about the nature of certain sports (e.g., perceived violence in ice hockey) can deter participation. The ICC (2014) report noted that many new citizen parents received misleading information about various sports from members of their own cultural community, leading to hesitation or refusal to allow their children to participate.

Examples of organizations addressing this barrier:

• The NHL/NHLPA First Shift Hockey Program aims to take away intimidation related to equipment requirements, rules of the game, and potential safety concerns for new-to-hockey families. By providing a comprehensive introduction to the sport, it helps dispel myths and misperceptions.
• The Sports & Me Pilot Program run by DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society and the City of Surrey in BC encourages participation of 6-12-year-old refugee children and their families in community and school sports. It serves as a “catch-up” program that slows down the process of teaching sport skills and helps New to Canada Participants understand how sports are played in Canada.
• The Braves d’Ahuntsic in Montreal have been introducing young New to Canada Participants to hockey for the last 16 years with help from the NHL Heroes program and former NHL coaches. This program helps demystify the sport and shows its positive aspects.

12. Racism

Unfortunately, experiences of racism or feelings of exclusion can prevent New to Canada Participants from feeling welcome in sports programs, particularly in those with little diversity. This can lead to reluctance to participate or early dropout from sports programs.

Examples of organizations addressing this barrier:

• The Anti-Racism in Sport Campaign in Winnipeg, Manitoba seeks to increase awareness, address, and eliminate racism and discrimination in sport through research, school presentations, stakeholder training, and a public awareness campaign.
• The Sport Canada Strategy on Ethical Sport enhances ethical conduct in Canadian sport by addressing key ethical issues, including harassment, racism, discrimination, and violence.
• Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada has developed a resource called “We Belong: A How-To Guide—Improving Access to Physical Activity Programs for Newcomer Youth” to support facilitators of youth physical activity programs at the community level. It shares practical methods to enhance the experience of New to Canada youth participants, including how to plan for an emotionally safe program that is free of racism.
  

The efforts to address barriers facing New to Canada Participants in sports and physical activities are varied and ongoing across Canada. While progress is evident, significant challenges remain.

The initiatives highlighted in this article demonstrate practical approaches to increasing accessibility and inclusion. From financial assistance programs to culturally sensitive coaching, organizations are tackling issues at multiple levels. However, it’s clear that no single solution fits all situations.

Moving forward, several key areas require continued attention:

1. Data collection and analysis to better understand the changing needs of New to Canada Participants
2. Increased collaboration between sports and physical activity organizations, settlement agencies, and policymakers
3. Ongoing education and training for coaches, administrators, and volunteers
4. Sustainable funding models to support long-term programs

It’s also crucial to recognize that the immigration landscape in Canada is constantly evolving. As such, strategies to engage New to Canada Participants in sports must remain flexible and responsive to changing demographics and needs. The goal remains to develop a sports system that not only integrates diversity but actively benefits from it, enhancing the experience for all participants.

Sport for Life is taking a proactive approach to this challenge with the launch of the New to Canada Long-Term Participant Development Pathway (NLTD) project. This new initiative, currently in its planning stages, will guide and support newcomers as they navigate the Canadian sport system. By integrating the principles of Long-Term Development 3.0 and Indigenous ways of sport, the NLTD resource aims to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone. Through ongoing projects like the NLTD, Sport for Life continues to demonstrate its commitment to building a more equitable and inclusive sports system in Canada.