ABSTRACT
This chapter considers how the sport system in Canada changed, as it did in many countries, from a single system an integrated pyramid where high-performance athletes emerged from a broad base of participation to become two relatively distinct sport systems. In peace time, the fitness of Canadians is a difficult issue in the Canadian confederation, where matters of health, grass-roots sport and recreation are considered to be matters of provincial jurisdiction. Sport Canada and the Canadian government could honour their commitment to the equal weight principle of the 2002 and 2012 Canadian Sport Policies. The policies, and the principle of equal weight, were a result of widespread consultation and were clearly recognised as a key need by the Canadian sport and physical activity community. Since 2002, Canadian Sport Policy implicitly recognises the two solitudes that the sport system could no longer be characterised as a pyramid by granting equal status to participation and excellence.
