Canadian Government Has Announced The Creation of the Future of Sport in Canada Commission.

The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity

News release

OTTAWA, December 11, 2023

In Canada, sport is a source of national pride and resilience. It builds communities, stimulates economies, and contributes to the overall well-being of Canadians and our country. However, without sufficient safeguards and accountability, sports can also do harm. For too long, victims and survivors have experienced maltreatment in the Canadian sport system
Press Release

The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity, said the Commission will undertake an independent and forward-looking review of Canada’s sport system.

Over the course of 18 months, it will engage and seek input from a broad array of stakeholders, including survivors and victims of maltreatment in sport, to bring to light lived experiences, support healing and engage on how to improve the sport system in Canada. This process will be trauma-informed, survivor-centred and human rights-based.
Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity

While the Commission conducts its independent review, the Government of Canada will move forward with additional immediate actions to address maltreatment in the sports system.

Improving Canada’s independent third-party mechanism
Athletes at the centre of decision-making for government programs and policy decision making through direct engagement with athletes to learn from their lived experiences.
- Previously announced Sport Canada Athlete Advisory Committee will be elevated to a Ministerial Athlete Advisory Committee.
On January 10, 2024, the Minister of Sport and Physical Activity will re-open the call for applications for athletes who are interested in participating in this Advisory Committee.
Greater accountability
- A new approach to modernized funding framework will be created and include strengthened accountability measures and more streamlined, risk-based compliance.
Sport Integrity Framework
- Integrity in sport encompasses a broad range of policies and procedures that impact participants across sport contexts.
- The Government of Canada will develop a Sport Integrity Framework for Canada, which will consolidate all sport integrity policy and make it easily accessible for athletes, coaches, officials, administrators and parents.
- Within this framework, the Government of Canada will develop new policies on safeguarding, specifically safeguarding children.
International leadership on safe sport and human rights
- The Minister of Sport and Physical Activity will create an International Workgroup on Integrity in Sport to continue to work together to share best practices and lessons learned on human rights protection in sport.