High performance Canadian athletes including Olympians and Paralympians are eligible for Sport Canada carding for funding purposes. In other words, some high performance Canadian athletes, including Paralympians, can receive up to $1,500 a month tax free if carded for funding. However, high performance Special Olympians preparing for the Special Olympics World Games are not eligible to be carded for Sport Canada funding even though they require the same commitment and dedication levels as an Olympian, Paralympian, or other high performance athletes. In fact, a Team Canada athlete only receives a one time $500 payment from Special Olympics Canada to cover competition, membership, transportation, clothing, athletic therapy, and other related costs. The Special Olympics World Games is the pinnacle sporting event for athletes with intellectual disabilities held every four years since 1968 equivalent to the Olympics and Paralympics. As a result of inadequate funding for our proud Special Olympics Team Canada athletes, coupled with the fact most of them live on Social/Income Assistance, these athletes can't get access to supports needed to achieve their full potential and represent Canada at their best such as nutritious food, athletic therapy, competitions, hotels, sports apparel, and other items critical to athletic success. Therefore, Sport Canada must include Canadian Special Olympians named to Team Canada for the Special Olympics World Games for sports funding carding. Furthermore, Special Olympians with potential to compete in the World Games should be eligible for funding as well based on their performance. If you're interested in signing the petition, please refrain from negative or degrading comments, especially towards persons with developmental or intellectual disabilities. Any degrading or negative comments will be removed.

Sponsor