Athletes, coaches and others involved in the programme will have more accessible assistance with their mental health as a result.

In a joint statement from the COC, CPC, Own the Podium and the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Support Institute Network; the group praised the decision.

"The COC applauds Minister St-Onge and the Government of Canada for this important investment in Canadian sport," said COC chief executive David Shoemaker in the statement.

"Investments like this, which will address the urgent mental health needs of Canadian athletes, are a crucial step toward making sport as safe and inclusive as possible. 

"This has been an especially challenging time for Canadian athletes' mental health and wellness. 

"We're pleased to see that a large portion of these funds will go directly to Game Plan - an athlete wellness programme we created in 2014 with our sport partners and Deloitte - and further enhance the expertise and programmes devoted to athlete mental health and wellness."

St-Onge has been a very public figure in recent months, stating her support for zero-tolerance towards abuse in sport with the emergence of several scandals in sports like ice hockey, gymnastics and rowing.

Hockey Canada has had its funding withdrawn indefinitely until sufficient governance reforms under her watch.

She has been the Minister of Sports since last year, becoming the first openly lesbian cabinet member in Canadian history.