Evidence of meeting #84 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.
4:35 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
Mr. Bernard, what is the total budget of the Canadian Fencing Federation?
4:35 p.m.
President, Canadian Fencing Federation
I think David Howes is in a better position than I am to answer that question.
June 1st, 2023 / 4:35 p.m.
David Howes Executive Director, Canadian Fencing Federation
Our budget for the last fiscal year was $1.4 million.
4:35 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
I see. Thank you very much. Your annual budget was $1.4 million, compared to those of organizations such as Hockey Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee and Soccer Canada, which, as we know, often have enormous budgets totalling tens of millions of dollars.
The federal government is responsible for all the measures taken by the country's sports federations. When this affair broke in March, did it approach you to determine what the problem was and what resources you needed in order to establish a safe climate?
4:35 p.m.
President, Canadian Fencing Federation
Since Mr. Howes was in touch with our Sport Canada representative, I think he'll be able to give you a more accurate answer.
4:35 p.m.
Executive Director, Canadian Fencing Federation
No, we have not been given any direction from Sport Canada.
4:35 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Did you request support from the government?
These are allegations that are serious. We're talking about safe sport for athletes. Sport Canada didn't reach out to you. Did you reach out to them and say, “We need support; we're a small federation, we don't have a lot of resources and we need to take immediate action”?
4:35 p.m.
Executive Director, Canadian Fencing Federation
My understanding is that the safe sport pocket of funding will be coming later. I don't have any information on what will be provided at this time.
My Sport Canada program analyst is well aware of our situation and what's been going on.
4:35 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Thank you.
I'm going to go to Mr. Shoemaker.
Have complaints been filed with the Canadian Olympic Committee? Have concerns been raised by athletes? Do you track complaints?
Has the federal government requested, given the resources the Canadian Olympic Committee has, that more support be provided to ensure a safe sports environment, given the crisis in safe sports that we're experiencing in the country?
4:35 p.m.
Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General, Canadian Olympic Committee
By the very nature of our transition to the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner and Abuse-Free Sport, I'd be unaware of complaints that are made by athletes. That's so that they can do so without fear of retribution.
In connection with the May 11 reforms that were announced, the federal government announced a $1-million contribution to education and awareness. The Canadian Olympic Committee matched that contribution of $1 million.
We believe that among the things that need to be done is that young athletes and all participants in the sports system need to understand their rights. What are the rights and wrongs in sport? Where do you go when somebody's done something wrong to you? That's not very well known.
I think we've made progress at the national level, but there are millions of participants in sport. My three children are among the examples of those who wouldn't know what to do.
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Thank you. I think we are over time here.
Now I'm just going to seek the indulgence of the committee. We can go to the last two five-minute rounds on this round or we can end this meeting and go to committee business. Shall we finish the round or go to the business meeting?
4:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Thank you.
Then I would like to suggest...I am sorry to the Conservative and Liberal members who are waiting with bated breath to ask questions.
I want to thank everyone—Mr. Bernard and Mr. Shoemaker—for being here and for answering questions.
We're going to suspend this meeting while we go in camera. Thank you very much.
4:35 p.m.
Bloc
Sébastien Lemire Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Madam Chair, I don't think there's a consensus for ending the meeting. The Conservatives want to have their five minutes. If that's not the case of the Liberals, we could reach a compromise by allowing the Conservatives five minutes.
4:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
I didn't hear the Conservatives saying that. They were nodding when Peter said what he was saying.
Marilyn, do you want five minutes?
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON
Madam Chair, we would like to have another round, if it's possible.
4:40 p.m.
Liberal
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
4:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
It will be 10 minutes. Okay, fine.
We started at 3:40, so we can go an extra 10 minutes.
I think we have Kevin for five minutes.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Kevin Waugh Conservative Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK
Thank you, Madam Chair. I win.
Mr. Shoemaker, who paid the $10 million out of your organization to get into safe sport last June? I see you've committed $10 million to safe sport.
Where did that money come from?
4:40 p.m.
Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General, Canadian Olympic Committee
A hundred per cent of it comes from our marketing partnerships—the private sector we do business with.
4:40 p.m.
Conservative
Kevin Waugh Conservative Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK
Have you talked to your private sector—companies like Canadian Tire and others—that sponsor Canadian Olympic athletes and Own the Podium?
4:40 p.m.
Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General, Canadian Olympic Committee
Yes.