Evidence of meeting #88 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.
Chair, Gymnastics Canada
I don't know that we've received a phone call from Sport Canada. I'm newly in my position. I can find that information and get back to you.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Ms. Smith, you're new to the organization in this current role as chair. You just stepped in a couple of months ago, but you've been on the board for quite some time.
As a board member, did it ever come to your attention that Sport Canada had reached out to the organization and that there was any accountability?
Chair, Gymnastics Canada
I've been on the board since September of 2022, and I am not aware of Sport Canada calling us on this particular topic.
Again, I can find out more information and get back to you.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
That would be great. Thank you very much. I appreciate your agreeing to that.
I'm going to pass it off to my colleague for his questions.
Conservative
Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
I would like to thank the witnesses for being here.
Ms. Smith, you know that of any sport, yours, gymnastics, is the one that receives the most complaints about abuse and mistreatment.
You have accepted a huge mandate as chair of Gymnastics Canada.
What is your vision for the future? How will you succeed in changing the culture of silence that currently exists within the federation?
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Kevin Waugh
Yes, it's a globe at the bottom. I'm sorry. I should have pointed that out.
Stop the clock, please.
The little globe on your right, if you press that.... If you look at the little globe, it will say “English” or “French”.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Kevin Waugh
Okay.
That would be the same for you, too, Sail Canada.
Mr. Martel, say a couple of words in French.
Conservative
Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
One, two, three. Good afternoon.
I would like to ask Ms. Smith a question.
Is everything right?
Conservative
Conservative
Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Ms. Smith, you know that of any sport, gymnastics is the one that receives the most complaints about abuse and mistreatment.
You have accepted a huge mandate, in my view, as chair of Gymnastics Canada.
What is your vision for changing, among other things, the current culture of silence within your federation?
Chair, Gymnastics Canada
Yes, we have done much in this respect. As I've said, we've hired Dr. Kacey Neely to work as our safe sport director. She is implementing some processes and education.
We have also signed on to OSIC. There's an entire complaint management process in place. I did outline a number of them while I was speaking. Is there something more specific that you're looking for?
Conservative
Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
I would very much like to know how you will be able to monitor the relationship between a gymnastics coach and young athletes, who often start as early as five, six or seven years of age.
You said that you have a complaint system, but how will you verify that everything is appropriate and that all is well? How will you go about doing that?
Chair, Gymnastics Canada
A lot of this is with respect to education. At Gymnastics Canada, our safe sport framework has three pillars: policy, education and advocacy. Education is a big part of that. We're educating the athletes, we're educating the coaches and we're educating the parents so that they are aware of any inappropriate behaviour. We've made it very easy for people to come and report to us.
This may be why we're seeing a number of cases, because we have made it very easy to come and report cases to us, as opposed to another organization that may put up barriers against reporting safe sport issues so that they appear to be a safer area than we are.
Conservative
Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
What about the coach in all this? Often, coaches aim for success, they want to win medals. There is that aspect as well.
When a coach does not behave as they ought to, is there any follow-up? Do you take care of that as well? Sometimes, a coach may think that they are on the right path, when often they are in the wrong.
Is there anyone to deal with the coaches in such a situation? Is it over for them from the first transgression? Will they be fired?
Chair, Gymnastics Canada
No. It's independently sent to case management. Case management evaluates the complaint and what steps should be happening afterwards. They may recommend expulsion or suspension, or it may come back as a question of education, because the coach is perhaps using inappropriate language, for example.
The independent case management comes back with recommendations. We follow those recommendations.
Conservative
Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
I have one last question to ask you.
Gymnasts for Change Canada published an open letter in March 2022, addressed to the federal Minister of Sport. The letter talks in particular about children being raped and the psychological manipulation of young gymnasts for sexual purposes, presented in the guise of coaching.
How does Gymnastics Canada respond to that?
Chair, Gymnastics Canada
Absolutely. We recognize that psychological trauma is a form of harm. We offer psychological help for anyone who has been through an abusive situation.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Kevin Waugh
Thank you very much, Mr. Martel.
We'll move to the Liberal Party for six minutes.
Mr. Housefather, welcome.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Thank you so much, Mr. Chair.
Ms. Smith, if a coach is suspended or terminated by Gymnastics Canada, or Gymnastics Canada becomes aware that a club throughout the country has done so because the coach has been alleged to have abused someone, do you have a national register that is available to all clubs that are part of the Gymnastics Canada family?
Chair, Gymnastics Canada
It is available. I'm not sure if it's on our website, but I can find that information for you.