Question Period Note: The Government of Canada continues to take measures to promote safe sport environments for all sport participants.

In response to an increase of reports of maltreatment within the Canadian sport system, and the concerns of victims and survivors expressed through two parliamentary studies, the Government of Canada has made significant investments to support victims and survivors, increase accountability measures for national-level sport organizations, and increase training and education to promote safe, welcoming, and inclusive sport environments.

The Government of Canada remains committed to promoting safe, welcoming, and inclusive sport environments that are free from maltreatment.

With funding from the Government, the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner was established to administer the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport.

To enhance the Program, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport will begin administering the Code as of April 1st, 2025

Recent Government of Canada investments in safe sport include: 

Budget 2019 identified $30 million over five years
(2019–24) to enable Canadian sport organizations to promote accessible, ethical, equitable, and safe sport.

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. 

Budget 2023 also identified $13.8 million to enhance accountability and support efforts to build a safe and accountable sport system. 

Budget 2024 proposes to provide $16 million over two years (2024-26) to the Sport Support Program to help create safer and more welcoming sport environments for participants. Priorities will include preventing and addressing maltreatment, supporting those with concussions and mental health issues, and advancing inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.

In 2019, 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.

Since July 1, 2023, all federally funded National Sport Organizations, Multisport Service Organizations and Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Centres and Institutes have been required to be Program Signatories to the Abuse-Free Sport Program to receive Sport Canada funding.

Promoting a safe and inclusive sport environment is a responsibility shared by 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. Engagement at the Federal-Provincial/Territorial Sport Ministers table continues, with the goal of working collaboratively to collectively address maltreatment in sport.

In June 2023, the Standing Committee on the Status of Women tabled its report on Women and Girls in Sport. In June 2024, the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage tabled its report on Safe Sport in Canada.

In May 2024, it was announced that the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport will begin administering the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport, through the Abuse-Free Sport Program, on April 1, 2025.

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport is evolving its organizational mandate to encompass all aspects of sport integrity and will transition its governance and operations to reflect this broadened mandate.

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport will consult with athletes, the sport community and subject matter experts to build upon and enhance the Abuse-Free Sport Program.

The Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport are working together to ensure a smooth transition. The administration of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport will remain under the authority of the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada until March 31, 2025.

Athletes will be engaged on safe sport, including through the Ministerial Athlete Advisory Committee, which will begin its work in the fall of 2024.

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