The Future of Sport in Canada Commission is set to release its first report, shaping reforms on abuse and maltreatment in sports nationwide.
National Sport Integrity Under Review
Canada’s new safe sport watchdog is preparing for crucial direction as the Future of Sport in Canada Commission readies its first report. The findings, expected Thursday, will influence how cases of abuse and maltreatment are handled at every level of Canadian sport.
Oversight Shift Raises Questions
Since April, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) has overseen investigations into abuse reports, taking over from the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner. The change, initiated by former federal sport minister Carla Qualtrough, aimed to strengthen oversight. However, jurisdiction remains limited to federally funded national sport bodies.
Reports Reveal Gaps in Protection
In its first-quarter update, the CCES revealed that of 111 reports received, only 11 were admissible. The majority were dismissed because they involved athletes and coaches outside the national system. Local clubs, provincial organizations, and territorial programs remain largely responsible for managing complaints through independent contractors or legal counsel.
Call for Broader Accountability
Signy Arnason, executive director of safe sport at the CCES, emphasized that athletes at all levels deserve consistent protection. “If we’re serious about addressing maltreatment, it cannot stop at the national level,” she said, pointing to funding shortfalls as a barrier to expanding oversight.
Nationwide Consultations Lead to Summit
The commission held consultations in 12 Canadian cities between October and January, gathering input from athletes, coaches, officials, and the public. An online survey, open until Aug. 27, will further inform the commission’s recommendations ahead of a September summit in Ottawa.
Athletes Push for Change
The inquiry comes after emotional testimony from athletes at parliamentary hearings, where stories of mental, physical, and sexual abuse highlighted long-standing systemic failures. Advocates hope the commission’s report will pave the way for reforms that create safer environments across all levels of sport.
What Comes Next
Among the proposals under consideration is expanding CCES jurisdiction to provincial and club-level sports. While Volleyball Canada has already extended protections to its entire system, most national bodies have not followed suit. The report’s release and the September summit are expected to set the course for how Canada addresses safe sport challenges moving forward.
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