Canadian Finance Minister Jim Flaherty revealed the 2014 Budget on in capital Ottawa, which sees the continuation of the Government's record support for Paralympic sport in Canada by committing another CAD$5 million (£2.7 million/$4.6 million/€3.3 million) to the CPC for this year.

The current level of funding began back in 2010 after the Government announced a CAD $25 million (£13.6 million/$22.8 million/€16.7 million) dollar five-year package of financial support to the CPC which takes in the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympics next month, and next year's Parapan American Games in Toronto.

At the time of the announcement the CPC declared the new tranche of money will boost opportunities for more children to participate in sport while also allowing it to focus on enhancing podium performances at Paralympics, building a world-class sport system, creating a sustainable business model, and expanding the awareness of Paralympic sport and building the reputation of the CPC.

"With a renewed focus on high performance sport, the Canadian Paralympic Committee wants to recognise and celebrate the commitment by the Harper Government in Tuesday's Federal Budget for Paralympic sport in Canada," said Karen O'Neill, chief executive of the CPC.

"This budget clearly demonstrates the strong investment by the Government of Canada in the Canadian Paralympic team's quest for gold medals at upcoming Paralympic and Parapan American Games."

Para-Nordic skier Mark Arendz is one of the Sochi 2014 medal hopefuls who has benefited from Government funding for the CPC ©Getty Images



Canada will send around 50 athletes to Sochi 2014, where they will be looking to at least match their third place finish in the overall medal standings at Vancouver 2010 behind Russia and Germany.

In addition to the CPC funding, the Canadian Government will continue with its CAD $500 million (£272 million/$455 million/€332 million) investment into the Toronto 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games, while high performance sport will receive ongoing support with CAD $11 million (£6 million/$10 million/€7.3 million) for winter sports through Own the Podium and CAD £6 million (£3.3 million/$5.5 million/€4 million) for team sports.

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