A national commission says Canadian sport is “broken,” urging urgent reforms to protect athletes from abuse and rebuild trust in the system.
Urgent Findings Released
Canada’s national sports system is facing a crisis, according to a preliminary report released Thursday by the Future of Sport in Canada Commission. The report concludes that athlete protection has failed at multiple levels, with systemic abuse and a fractured complaint process leaving athletes vulnerable.
Why the Review Was Launched
The commission was created in 2023 after athletes across several sports came forward with stories of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Former Ontario chief justice Lise Maisonneuve was appointed to lead the inquiry, tasked with examining the scope of the problem and recommending structural reforms.
How the Report Was Compiled
Over the past year, the commission visited 12 cities, interviewed more than 825 people, and reviewed over 1,000 written submissions. Its 384-page report includes 71 recommendations, calling for sweeping reforms to governance, complaint handling, and athlete safety standards across all levels of sport in Canada.
Voices from the Sport Community
Athlete advocates welcomed the report’s blunt assessment. “It’s fundamentally broken, the way we deliver sport in Canada,” said Amelia Cline, managing director of Athletes Empowered and a former gymnast. Survivors such as Allison Forsyth, who endured abuse as an Olympic skier, said that background checks alone will not be enough without a national system for sanctioning abusive coaches.
Recommendations for Change
The commission calls for a national safe sport authority to oversee complaints across federal, provincial, and territorial levels. It also urges mandatory screening policies, consistent sanctions, and improved transparency. Maisonneuve said a unified system is essential to break the culture of silence: “We can have a uniform, centralized system… so that people understand where to go.”
Government and Institutional Response
Sport leaders and government officials signalled support for the findings. Former minister of sport Carla Qualtrough called for a formal apology to survivors, while current sport secretary Adam van Koeverden said the federal government will carefully study the recommendations. The Canadian Olympic Committee also commended the commission’s efforts, pledging to help shape a safer and more inclusive system.
What Happens Next
The commission’s recommendations will be debated at a September 2025 summit in Ottawa, with a final report expected in March 2026. Advocates say the federal government must act swiftly to avoid further harm. As Maisonneuve put it, “It’s time for Canada to shine not only on the podium, but in every arena and gym across the country.”
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