Safety and integrity in sport

Introduction

Canada is committed to ensuring that all Canadians can participate and compete in a safe environment that is free from maltreatment, including harassment, abuse and discrimination.

Future of Sport in Canada Commission

To ensure all participants enjoy a safe, inclusive and welcoming sport experience, the Government of Canada announced the creation of the Future of Sport in Canada Commission. The Commission undertook an independent and forward-looking review of Canada’s sport system. Through a trauma-informed approach, the Future of Sport in Canada Commission seeked to learn from those whose experiences have revealed inadequacies in Canadian sport structures – and from others with experience and perspectives that contribute to the necessary reforms across the breadth of the sport community.

Federal, Provincial and Territorial Alignment

There is a need for a collective response across the sport system as instances of maltreatment continue to occur at all levels of sport. The Government of Canada, through Sport Canada, continues to work with provincial and territorial governments to prioritize safe sport.

In February 2019, federal, provincial, and territorial governments all endorsed the Red Deer Declaration, thus committing to collaborative action to prevent harassment, abuse and discrimination in sport. In August 2022, February 2023 and August 2025, Federal-Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation met to assess the progress made to make sport safer since the Red Deer Declaration and to discuss next steps towards maltreatment in sport.

Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport

With funding from the Government of Canada, Sport Integrity Canada led the development of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (PDF) (UCCMS) in consultation with stakeholders in the sport community and in collaboration with an expert working group. The UCCMS clearly defines prohibited behaviours for anyone subject to the code and provides the Canadian sport community with a foundational tool for preventing and responding to maltreatment in sport.

Canadian Safe Sport Program

The Canadian Safe Sport Program is an independent program funded by the Government of Canada that is responsible for administering the UCCMS. It receives reports about violations of the UCCMS, initiates investigations and administers sanctions. It also offers education, prevention and policy activities. All federally-funded national sport organizations, multisport service organizations and Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Centres and Institutes are required to adopt the Canadian Safe Sport Program to receive funding.

Sport Integrity Framework

The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that everyone in Canada can participate and flourish in a sport system that is fair, safe, and inclusive. This requires that threats to sport integrity are prevented and addressed. The Sport Integrity Framework is a hub of information for sport participants in Canada to learn more about the work the Government of Canada is doing on sport integrity.

Learn more about the Sport Integrity Framework

Other measures to increase safety and accountability in the sport system

In May 2023, the Government of Canada announced new measures to foster sustainable culture change in sport, improve governance and accountability of federally-funded sport organizations, enhance safe sport practices, and amplify the role of athletes in decision making, including the creation of a Ministerial Athlete Advisory Committee.

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2026-03-27

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