Ottawa announced the implementation of several measures to ensure the safety and well-being of athletes and to give them a stronger voice in the Canadian sports system.
Federal Sports Minister Pascale St-Onge presented her action plan on Thursday.
Among the actions presented is that within one year a public register of those sanctioned under the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Combat Maltreatment in Sport (CCUMS) will be established.
In addition, $250,000 in funding will be made available to the Coaching Association of Canada to conduct background checks on instructors and enable them to attend training courses on the CCUMS.
Additionally, to end the silence that has plagued the Canadian sports system for too long, non-disclosure or non-denigration agreements can no longer be used to prevent athletes from reporting abusive conduct.
- Hear journalist Alexandre Moranville comment on his daily live coverage at 12:55 p.m. above QUB radio :
Athletes are heard
The new measures also aim to change governance standards in the country and involve athletes more in decision-making processes. Therefore, all national sports organizations must have an athlete representative on their board. A standing advisory committee ensures that Sport Canada’s decisions benefit the athletes first and foremost.
Canadian athletes’ association AthletesCAN welcomed the move in a statement.
“We believe this announcement by Secretary St-Onge is a critical step for Canada towards a sports system where athletes are partners,” she wrote. [Les initiatives représentent] a significant step forward in developing a system that normalizes a transparent, safe, welcoming and inclusive environment.”
National sports organizations are also required to adopt the principles of the Canadian Sport Governance Code, which includes goals for board diversity, by April 2025.
“Athletes need to have more say at all stages of the decision-making process,” Minister St-Onge said in a statement. The specific actions I have announced today are part of a long-term shift aimed at transforming sports culture that badly needs it.”
“The new requirements will increase the accountability of sports federations, improve governance practices and make athlete representation in decision-making structures a priority.”
A crucial moment
The reactions of the various sports associations were unanimous: It is the beginning of a new era in Canadian sports.
“Today [jeudi] represents a turning point for the Canadian sports system and lays a solid foundation from which we can continue to move forward,” said Rosie MacLennan, chair of the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Commission. It is also a clear message: the voice and the point of view of the athletes are important.”
“These initiatives will strengthen safe sports practices, ensure better compliance and the necessary support for a safer and more inclusive sports system in Canada, while strengthening athlete leadership in all areas,” affirmed Vice President of the Athletes Council of the Canada Paralympic Committee, Jeremy Saal.