Evidence of meeting #66 for Canadian Heritage in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was athletes.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Thank you.
Mr. Koehler, you just stated that there are band-aid solutions at work. If those are the band-aid solutions, then what would it take to create real change?
5 p.m.
Director General, Global Athlete
We hear a lot of people asking and indicating what they think should change. That's what we've seen time and time again. That's why a judicial inquiry is so important, because instead of people giving anecdotal evidence, we need to get to the root and the rot of the problem, where conflicts of interest exist. Creating a really robust system, whether by empowering OSIC or by having OSIC independent of sport, is what's needed.
5 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
In the event that a national inquiry doesn't take place, right now you have a mike. What would the recommendations be that you would give to this committee? Give us your top two.
5:05 p.m.
Director General, Global Athlete
My top two would be, first, that SafeSport in Canada be independent of Sport Canada and not linked with them and be managed by human rights experts.
The second would be that athletes in this country have independent collective representation to look after their interests when they come forward or when they have disputes. Right now there's a power imbalance. Sport Canada wields all the powers and athletes have none.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Right now you're representing about 600 individuals who are under your advocacy, your voice. Is that correct?
5:05 p.m.
Director General, Global Athlete
We don't represent them; we advocate for them. That's correct.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Okay. How did those individuals come to Global Athlete for support? How did they even find out that it existed?
5:05 p.m.
Director General, Global Athlete
Global Athlete has been working internationally for the past several years. The athletes were let down by the Canadian system and had nowhere to turn, and as a result they turned to us. I think that this inherently is the problem. It speaks volumes that these athletes had to come to an international organization for assistance in Canada.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
How many of those athletes are Canadian or would have been involved in Canadian sport?
5:05 p.m.
Director General, Global Athlete
Of the 600-plus.... We've worked with over 1,000 in Canada.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Okay, perfect. Thank you.
In an article that you were interviewed for by ESPN, you said that you're not linked with sport, you are not linked with government and you are not linked with the anti-doping organization, and therefore that makes Global Athlete trustworthy. Why is it important that these links don't exist?
5:05 p.m.
Director General, Global Athlete
We're not pressured by anyone other than the athletes. We get our narrative and our directive from athletes from a grassroots level. They sign off on everything. My statement today was shown to the athletes before coming here and was approved by the athletes. We advocate for them. We have no undue influence from external sources.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Mr. Koehler, you offered your resignation from WADA, the World Anti-Doping Agency. What was the reason for that?
5:05 p.m.
Director General, Global Athlete
That's a complex question. I was standing up strong towards Russia. I was principled in not letting Russia back, and my organization and I came to a head. We didn't agree, and it was time for me to leave. I was pressured, I was bullied and I was intimidated. I continue to have that to this day in my role, because I'm representing athletes in fighting the system.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
I realize this is a bit of an awkward question, and it's one that unfortunately will come up at this committee probably several times over. I think one of the things that we're realizing, based on the FEWO study, and even with the witnesses who have appeared here, is that things are more complex than they seem. No one seems 100% innocent, to be very honest. I'm curious to know if there are any complaints against you.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Perfect.
I believe I have a minute and a half left.
Dr. Fraser, thank you for joining us here today. You spoke a lot about your son's—I believe it was—experience. Is that correct?
I'm curious as to your observations as a mother with a son in sports who was significantly bullied. I'm very sorry to hear that. I imagine you're also privy to the stories of many others.
I'd be curious to know what you would identify as the gaps in the system that prevent athletes from being protected or feeling safe to come forward.
5:05 p.m.
Author and Educational Consultant, As an Individual
I think it's a question of all children in Canada. I think it's athletes, it's kids in church and it's kids in school, as I tried to make clear today. I think children in Canada aren't safe. I think youth aren't safe and young adults aren't safe, regardless of what they're doing.
I think it's a real failure in laws. That's why I felt thankful that you are caring so much about this and gave me a chance to speak. I research abuse and I research what it does to the brain specifically. That's what I write about.
I was a teacher at the same time as I was a mother in that school system. I went to a different school and was appalled to find out it was the same situation.
I'm just one story, but I took student athlete testimonies. What they were expected to endure at the hands of certified teachers was horrifying.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
What is the number one thing you notice in terms of the impact it has on a child's brain throughout adult life?
5:10 p.m.
Author and Educational Consultant, As an Individual
It damages it. You can see it on a brain scan. It physically damages the brain.
