Future of Sport in Canada Commission to deliver first report on athlete safety gaps

Canada will get its first look today at a national report examining how abuse and maltreatment are handled in sport, and where protections for athletes are falling short.

The Future of Sport in Canada Commission, created by the federal government in 2023 after athletes spoke out about systemic abuse, is led by commissioner Lise Maisonneuve, the former chief justice of the Ontario Court of Justice.

It is releasing its first report after hearing from Canadians through consultations in a dozen cities, as well as written submissions and survey responses.

The report is expected to detail jurisdictional gaps that leave most complaints outside federal oversight.

Currently, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport investigates only cases tied to national, federally funded programs, leaving lower levels to their own patchwork systems.

The commission’s findings are meant to guide debate and shape solutions at a September summit in Ottawa. 

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang