Backgrounder - Minister Guilbeault Announces New Independent Safe Sport Mechanism

Original News Statement: Minister Guilbeault Announces New Independent Safe Sport Mechanism

Harassment, abuse and discrimination are an important issue in society, particularly in sport, which engages so many Canadian youth. Organizations that provide opportunities for Canadians to participate and excel in sport have a responsibility to ensure that they are providing their programs and services in an environment that is free from harassment, abuse, discrimination and harmful behaviour. Support for the sport system in Canada involves many stakeholders, including the federal government, the private sector, provincial and territorial governments, national multisport service organizations (MSOs), national sport organizations (NSOs) and Canadian sport centres and institutes.

As part of its commitment to safe sport, the Government of Canada has taken a number of steps and has made significant investments over the last few years to create a safer, more welcoming and inclusive sport environment. Still, we know that more needs to be done and we are committed to continuing to work with the sport community on this important journey.

Government of Canada actions

In 2018, Sport Canada raised expectations, standards and support for federally funded organizations to ensure safe sport environments for their athletes. To be eligible for funding, all sport organizations must have a policy on harassment, abuse and discrimination, offer mandatory training on those issues, and provide access to an independent third-party to receive and manage complaints. To ensure funded organizations comply with these strict requirements, they are obliged to report annually to Sport Canada on how they are meeting the funding requirements and Sport Canada periodically reviews the quality and the development process of policies of funded sport organizations to ensure that they are appropriate.

If these requirements are not met, Sport Canada will work with the organization to identify remedial action that must be taken in order for that organization to continue to be eligible for funding.

It is important to note that while Sport Canada imposes strict funding requirements, sport organizations are independent, not-for-profit entities that are responsible for administering their sport in Canada and ensuring that their members participate in safe, healthy, welcoming and inclusive environments.

Independent Safe Sport Mechanism

The Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) was developed by the sport community, with the help of the Government of Canada, and made public on the Sport Information Resource Centre’s website in January 2020. The development and release of the UCCMS has provided the Canadian sport community with a significant tool for preventing and effectively responding to incidents of maltreatment in sport. It provides the Canadian sport community with common principles for preventing maltreatment, as well as standard definitions of maltreatment and prohibited behaviour related to grooming, neglect, and physical, sexual and psychological maltreatment. Sport Canada has made it a condition of funding that sport organizations integrate the UCCMS in their organizational policies and procedures.

A call for proposals ran from November 23, 2020, to January 17, 2021, to establish and deliver an independent safe sport mechanism for the implementation of the UCCMS. As a result, the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC) has been selected as the successful applicant to the Call for Proposals for the Sport Support Program’s Independent Safe Sport Mechanism. This means that the SDRCC will now be working on establishing and implementing this new mechanism to oversee the implementation of the UCCMS for federally funded sport organizations.

Under the leadership of the SDRCC, this new mechanism will provide a safe and independent place for victims to report incidents, offer support and guidance to victims, conduct independent investigations, identify appropriate sanctions when warranted, and conduct fair and transparent hearings and appeals.

Red Deer Declaration

Collectively, federal, provincial and territorial governments are working to make the sport system better, safer and more inclusive. In February 2019, federal, provincial and territorial governments all endorsed the Red Deer Declaration for the Prevention of Harassment, Abuse and Discrimination in Sport, thus committing to collaborative action to prevent harassment, abuse and discrimination in sport.

Press Release – Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Ministers Collaborate to Make Sport Safe and Inclusive

Declaration – Red Deer Declaration for the Prevention of Harassment, Abuse and Discrimination in Sport