Why Ontario Must Look Beyond Hockey and Baseball to Shape a Stronger, More Active Future

A Province That Moves Together, Grows Together

When the Blue Jays win, Ontario celebrates.
But imagine if that same energy — that same sense of unity and excitement — extended far beyond baseball and hockey.

Imagine stadiums full of cheering fans for soccer tournaments, cycling races weaving through our cities, and swimming championships drawing international visitors to Ontario’s aquatic centres.
A connected Ontario isn’t just about moving people — it’s about moving hearts, communities, and ideas.

The Missed Potential: A Two-Sport Nation

For decades, Canada’s athletic spotlight has shined mainly on hockey and baseball.
These are incredible sports with deep roots in our culture — but they represent only a small fraction of the athletic world.

Walk through any Ontario schoolyard and you’ll see the untapped opportunity:

  • Soccer fields already built, waiting to be used year-round.
  • Kids playing pickup games with nothing more than a ball and a goalpost.
  • Communities with the space, spirit, and enthusiasm — but lacking investment and structure.

Soccer is the world’s most popular sport for a reason — it’s simple, affordable, and universally understood.
Where hockey demands expensive equipment and specialized facilities, soccer only asks for passion, teamwork, and a field to play on.

The Economic Power of Diversified Sports

Investing in new sports infrastructure isn’t an expense — it’s a long-term growth strategy.

Each stadium, swimming complex, or cycling circuit brings ripple effects:

  • Hotels and restaurants thrive during tournaments.
  • Local transit systems see increased ridership.
  • Shops and small businesses benefit from new foot traffic.
  • Tourism grows through international exposure.

Ontario could host regional, national, and even global sporting events — not just hockey championships, but World Cup qualifiers, triathlons, international swim meets, and cycling tours.
These events bring spectators, athletes, families, and investors — and in turn, help fund the communities that welcome them.

A thriving sports economy can directly translate into lower property taxes, better-funded public services, and stronger local economies.

Investing in Infrastructure, Inspiring a Generation

To make that future real, Ontario must invest in:

  • Indoor and underground sports facilities — for swimming, squash, track, and other all-season sports.
  • Multi-purpose outdoor stadiums — designed for soccer, rugby, concerts, and community events.
  • Cycling routes and walking paths — connecting cities and regions safely and beautifully.

And most importantly:
training programs for youth.
If we teach kids to play soccer, swim, cycle, and run together — not just compete — we build more than athletes. We build healthier citizens, stronger communities, and future leaders who understand teamwork and perseverance.

A Vision for Ontario’s Global Future

Ontario has everything it takes to become a hub for international sports and active living.
Our diversity, geography, and infrastructure give us a natural advantage.
But it starts with one decision: to believe that every sport matters, every child deserves a chance to play, and every community deserves a share in the rewards.

Let’s build the fields, the pools, and the pathways — and connect them all.
Let’s create a province where our kids grow up not just cheering for teams, but becoming the next generation of players, swimmers, and cyclists who inspire us.

Because when Ontario invests in health, sport, and connection —
everyone wins.