Provincially, sport is found within Active Alberta, a government policy to achieve recreation, active living and sport outcomes, through a coordinated system, involving stakeholders, non-profit organizations, other levels of government, the private sector and individuals. Additonally, Spirit of Alberta, the Alberta Cultural Policy, defines culture in a broad sense, to include not only the arts, but also heritage, sport and recreation, and the natural environment.

The Alberta Sport Plan (A new Century for Amateur Sport: From Participation to Excellence), as advanced by the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation, is a guiding document (atlhough not approved by the Alberta Legislature) for the development of sport in Alberta.

Tourism, Parks and Recreation BUSINESS PLAN 2012-15

Goal Three: Albertans enjoy a high quality of life, improved health and wellness, strong communities, economic benefi ts and personal excellence and fulfi llment through recreation, active living and sport. The ministry, including the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation, leads the policy, planning, research, program and consultation processes to increase participation opportunities in recreation, active living and sport.

Priority Initiatives:

• 3.1 Work with partners to develop a comprehensive implementation plan for the six identified outcome areas in the Active Alberta policy. These are:

1. ACTIVE ALBERTANS: More Albertans are active, more often.

2. ACTIVE COMMUNITIES: Alberta communities are more active, creative, safe and inclusive.

3. ACTIVE OUTDOORS: Albertans are connected to nature and able to explore the outdoors.

4. ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT: Albertans are engaged in activity and their communities.

5. ACTIVE COORDINATED SYSTEM: All partners involved in providing recreation, active living and sport opportunities to Albertans work together in a coordinated system.

6. ACTIVE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE: Albertans have opportunities to achieve athletic excellence.

• 3.2 Develop strategies to align resource allocations to support the outcome areas of Active Alberta.

• 3.3 Develop legislation to establish a user-funded provincial trails system that will generate recreational,environmental and economic benefi ts for Alberta.

There were the multiple party campaign promises made by Alison Redford and the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta. Specifically it was stated that “A Progressive Conservative government will introduce new initiatives to support active lifestyles for Alberta's children. By doubling the current funding to amateur sporting organizations to $20 million from $10 million, introducing a fully refundable Alberta Children's Physical Activity Tax Credit of up to $500 a year per child, and a $500 fully refundable seniors' activity tax credit. Additionally there was an After School Recreation Strategy which may impact amateur sport. The following information was taken from the PC Alberta Platform Costing document: