Canada’s top athletes getting more money

Canada’s athletes will see a raise in their monthly cheque after Wednesday’s federal budget. The country’s Olympians and Paralympians receive money from the Athletes Assistance Program to help pay their grocery and housing bills. It’s been a maximum of $1,500 for a senior card since 2004. The government will pump an extra $5 million a year into the program for the next five years for an 18 per cent increase. Olympic paddler Adam van Koeverden lobbied for a 24 per cent increase to catch up with inflation.