To make sport safer for Canadian athletes, the federal government will tighten its criteria for funding sport organizations.
Posted at 12:52 p.m.
“There have been over the past few days, months, weeks, many allegations of mistreatment and abuse that have made headlines week after week. These are things that are difficult to read, but which must mobilize us collectively to find solutions,” immediately declared Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Sports and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions. of Quebec, at a press conference on Sunday morning.
Sports organizations will now have to ensure that they meet safety standards if they want federal funding. In particular, they will be required to join the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner.
The office will operate independently to receive complaints of alleged violations. When necessary, it will launch independent investigations and recommend sanctions against those found guilty of a violation.
“This review is essential. It will allow us to strengthen the capacity to carry out follow-ups and checks, in order to ensure that the standards are met with the organizations”, indicated Ms.me St-Onge.
Sport Canada will also set up a committee composed of athletes, in order to increase their representation in the sport system. This committee will allow organizations to obtain advice and better understand the reality of Canadian athletes.
Photo Graham Hughes, The Canadian Press
“We are committed to working with athletes, sport leaders and other stakeholders to ensure that this investment has maximum impact,” David Shoemaker, CEO and Secretary General of the Canadian Olympic Committee, said Sunday.
Separately, the Canadian Olympic Committee announced on Saturday an investment of $10 million for initiatives in favor of safety in sport. “We are committed to working with athletes, sport leaders and other stakeholders to ensure that this investment has maximum impact,” David Shoemaker, CEO and Secretary General of the Canadian Olympic Committee, said Sunday.
“We have all witnessed the numerous denunciations made by athletes over the past few months. I would like to salute their courage once again. It is the strength of their speaking out that highlights unacceptable situations that force us all […] to be better and to do better. I am convinced that these outings were essential to breaking the culture of silence, ”said the minister.
For meme St-Onge, coaches, staff and organizations must “ensure environments that are healthy and free from abuse and mistreatment”.