Abstract

The evolution of sport and recreation related acts and policies in Canada can be credited as commencing prior to Confederation. In 1851, Toronto City Council established the Committee on Public Walks and Gardens to provide public open space for recreational use. A few years later Ontario recognized the importance of the outdoors for recreation use and passed the Public Parks Act of Ontario in 1883. Following the lead put forth by municipalities and provinces, the federal government became more actively involved in sport and recreation in 1943 when the National Fitness Act became law. Since the mid twentieth century Canadian society has increased its awareness of the benefits of sport and recreation. This increased awareness has transpired in the creation of a Canadian Sport Policy in 2002 and action taken towards putting together a National Recreation Policy. The purpose of this paper is: to present the historical evolution and contemporary trends of Canadian government acts and policies for sport and recreation, and to predict as to what may unfold in the future for Canadian government acts and policies for sport and recreation.