Question Period Note: Government of Canada response to maltreatment allegations within Gymnastics in Canada and calls for an independent judicial inquiry.

The Government of Canada has taken steps to ensure more rigorous accountability within Gymnastics Canada following allegations of maltreatment at various levels of the sport in Canada. During the appearance of Gymnasts for Change Canada (now known as “Athletes Empowered”) at the Standing Committee on the Status of Women on
November 21, 2022, the representatives of this group requested that the federal government undertake an independent judicial inquiry into maltreatment in sport.

The stories that have been shared by gymnasts around the world, including here in Canada at the local, provincial, and national levels, are heartbreaking, disturbing, and simply unacceptable.

We have taken and will continue to take important steps to promote safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments for everyone.

The Future of Sport in Canada Commission will develop recommendations for the Government of Canada to improve safety in sport and the sport system in Canada.

The Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner continues to provide an independent mechanism to report maltreatment, and for victims and survivors to receive support.

On March 28, 2022, Gymnasts for Change Canada published an open letter calling for an independent, third-party investigation into the culture of Gymnastics Canada. Subsequently, in July 2022, they reiterated this need to the then Minister of Sport.

On June 28, 2022, Gymnastics Canada announced that McLaren Global Sport Solutions would lead a culture review of the organization and provide recommendations.

On July 22, 2022, the then Minister of Sport suspended funding to Gymnastics Canada until it became a signatory to the Abuse-Free Sport program, including the services of the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner, which it did on October 19, 2022.

In addition, new conditions were added to their 23-24 contribution agreement, which included enhanced monitoring from Sport Canada.

On January 25, 2023, Gymnastics Canada released “A Framework for Change: How to Achieve a Culture Shift for Gymnastics in Canada”, an independent review done by the McLaren Global Sport Solutions. The report provides a comprehensive review of Gymnastic Canada’s Safe Sport efforts and related policies as well as recommendations.

On January 27, 2023, three prominent Olympic gymnastics athletes requested that Gymnastics Canada Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ian Moss and Board President Jeffery Thomson be removed from their positions.

In February 2023, both Jeffery Thomson and Ian Moss resigned.

Kacey Neely subsequently joined the organization as Safe Sport Director, bringing a Ph.D. in Sports Psychology and extensive experience in athlete wellbeing and positive youth development.

On July 13, 2023, Andrew Price was appointed as the new CEO effective August 28, 2023. Mr. Price has over 25 years of experience of working in the youth-serving sector, including Scouts Canada, where he effectively championed corporate safety and safeguarding strategy and initiatives.

On August 17, 2023, Wendy Smith was appointed the new Chair of the Board.

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 Government of Canada invested $10.6 million over two years, starting in 2024-25, to support the operations of the Future of Sport in Canada Commission in its review of the Canadian sport system.

In May 2024, it was announced that the Commission will be led by Justice Lise Maisonneuve as Commissioner and Noni Classen and Dr. Andrew Pipe as Special Advisors.

Over 18 months, 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 develop recommendations for the Government of Canada to improve safety in sport and the sport system in Canada.

On April 16, 2024, a former gymnast filed a lawsuit alleging she was abused by a former coach and that the abuse continued because of the negligence of Gymnastics Canada and Gymnastics Ontario. The lawsuit also alleges that
Karl Balisch, a former Program Director for artistic gymnastics at Gymnastics Canada, failed to take the appropriate action to protect athletes. Mr. Balisch left Gymnastics Canada in 2018 and is now the Executive Director for Archery Canada.

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