Survival of sports organizations: “We are at the 90th minute! "Deplores Labrie

#Quebec; #Sports&Leisure; #PSFSQ; #PublicHealthMeasures

​​News Release

Quebec, Jun 6 (Canadian-Media): The solidarity member of Sherbrooke and responsible for Sports and Leisure, Christine Labrie, requests the Legault government to present a support plan for sports organizations as soon as possible. 

Christine Labrie. Image credit: Facebook page

Indeed, the drop in registrations, reimbursement requests, the cancellation of partnerships and the application of health measures threaten the financial survival of sports organizations so dear to Quebeckers of all ages.

“In the past few weeks, Minister Charest has shown creativity in allowing the resumption of certain sports activities. We thank her, but she must also act to ensure the financial survival of the sports organizations themselves, because we may find a way to comply with health rules by playing soccer, if the club puts the key in the door by lack of income, we will not be more advanced! The Minister knows to what extent the practice of a sport plays an important role in the lives of Quebeckers. If nothing is done, soccer, football or baseball clubs could close. These organizations are important in our communities, we cannot take this risk! "Says Christine Labrie .

"The situation is critical. Soccer Quebec, for example, deplores a drop in registrations of more than 50%. The soccer club in my riding, the Mistral, estimates that its losses are already in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. We cannot afford to lose these organizations, because otherwise we will end up with other public health problems! One million Quebeckers are members of sports organizations or get involved in it on a voluntary basis, it affects almost all families, ”she adds.

Two measures to put in action now

The member for solidarity asked the government to improve the Support Program for Quebec Sports Federations (PSFSQ) to finance expenses related to the application of public health measures (purchase of equipment, hiring and training of personnel in new measures).

In addition, Christine Labrie calls for the creation of an emergency fund to allow organizations that have already incurred expenses that they cannot cancel to cover these expenses and reimburse families who unsubscribe, without jeopardizing their survival. ​