Question Period Note: Government of Canada response to Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton’s actions relating to maltreatment allegations.

The Government of Canada is taking steps to ensure appropriate accountability with Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton following allegations of maltreatment at various levels in the organization.

• The Government of Canada is committed to building a sport system that is safe and inclusive. 

• That is why we are taking concrete actions to:  
o Improve the governance and increase the accountability and transparency of sport organizations;  
o Enhance safe sport practices notably addressing gender equality; and, 
o Prioritize the voices of athletes in the sport system. 
• The funding to Bobsleigh Skeleton Canada will be accompanied by greater monitoring, accountability and reporting measures. This is to move towards a positive organizational culture change.

• During the winter of 2022, concerns about the culture of Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton and allegations of issues from members of the organization were reported.
• On March 22, 2022, the then Minister of Sport ordered a financial audit of the Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton.
• On August 24, 2022, the then Minister of Sport outlined the requirements that must be met by the organization: to become a signatory to the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner; to establish a High-Performance Management Group to oversee high performance programs;, and to develop a plan to address recommendations stemming from the Recipient Compliance Audit.
• On October 20, 2022, Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton became a signatory of Abuse-Free Sport Program.
• On November 5, 2022, Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton elected Tara McNeil as the new President.
• On March 9, 2023, Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton hired an interim Chief Executive Officer until May 19, 2023, supported by the Canadian Olympic Committee.
• For 2023-24, after a thorough analysis of Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton’s high-performance programs, Own the Podium recommended funding an independent third party to manage both bobsleigh and skeleton programs with only Enhanced Excellence funding. Sport Canada has imposed additional payment conditions such as an enhanced compliance and monitoring plan to Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton’s 2023-24 contribution agreement.

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