Question Period Note: The Government of Canada is taking measures to ensure sport participants experience safe sport environments.

In response to an increase of reports of maltreatment within the Canadian sport system, the Government of Canada has made significant investments to support victims and survivors, increased accountability measures for national-level sport organizations, and increased training and education to ensure Canadians can participate in sport in a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment.

• The Government of Canada remains committed to ensuring that all Canadians experience sport environments free from maltreatment in all of its forms.

• Since 2018, our government has worked to ensure safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments for everyone, by requiring all federally funded sport organizations to take measures to prevent and address maltreatment.

 
• Recently, the Government of Canada announced the creation of the Future of Sport Commission in Canada, to undertake an independent and forward-looking review of safe sport in Canada. This Commission will be led by an independent Commissioner and special advisors.

• The Government of Canada invested in safe sport since 2018:
o Budget 2019 identified $30 million over five years (2019–24) to enable Canadian sport organizations to promote accessible, ethical, equitable, and safe sport.
o Budget 2022 identified $16 million over three years (2022–25) to be invested in the establishment of the Abuse-Free Sport program, including the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner.
o Budget 2023 also identified $13.8 million to enhance accountability and support efforts to build a safe and accountable sport system.
• Sport Canada supported the development of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport, which defines prohibited behaviours, including psychological, physical, and sexual maltreatment.
• In June 2022, the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada launched the Abuse-Free Sport program, including the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner, which is the independent safe sport mechanism to administer the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport.
• To receive Sport Canada funding in 2023-24, all national-level sport organizations must be Program Signatories to the Abuse-Free Sport Program.
• Ensuring a safe and inclusive sport environment is a joint responsibility among federal, provincial, and territorial governments. At the meeting of Federal-Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Sport, Physical Activity, and Recreation in February 2023, Ministers agreed to work together to have every athlete and participant in Canada protected by an independent third-party complaint mechanism by the end of 2023.
• In June 2022, the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage began its study on Safe Sport in Canada. In June 2023, the Standing Committee on the Status of Women tabled its report on Women and Girls in Sport. The then Minister of Sport and Sport Canada officials appeared before both committees.
• In December 2023, it was announced that the Future of Sport in Canada Commission will undertake an independent and forward-looking review of safe sport in Canada. The Commission will engage and seek input from the sport community, including survivors and victims of maltreatment in sport. The process will be trauma-informed, human rights-based, and forward-looking. The Commission will be independent, transparent, and flexible. It will develop and provide recommendations for the Government of Canada to create safe sport environments and improve the sport system going forward.
• The proposed approach allows provinces and territories to participate on a flexible and asymmetrical basis, given the multi-jurisdictional nature of the sport system.

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