Evidence of meeting #46 for Status of Women 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.
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
What have you done in response to them? Has there been immediate discipline, or has there been what Ms. Brown indicated, with the organization failing to take action?
Director, Domestic Programs and Safe Sport, Athletics Canada
In the more recent cases, immediate suspensions and lifetime suspensions have been given to those individuals. I apologize to Megan Brown for the lack of support she faced.
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Thank you for your candid responses.
My next question is for Ms. Gassewitz.
Your organization gives out safe sport grants. Is that right?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Sport Information Resource Centre
No.
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
Oh, you don't. Okay.
Has it ever come to your attention that grants were given to clubs that we found out...? For example, we know Action Canada had some involvement. If it came to your attention that SIRC gave out grants to a club that was enabling child abuse, what would your response be? Can you give me an example?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Sport Information Resource Centre
I'm just double-checking that I understand your question in this case. SIRC is a resource centre, and our goal is to focus on education. I'm just double-checking on that so that I understand the piece you're asking about.
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
I'm asking this because I know the Government of Canada has created the new Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner. You mentioned OSIC. This was done under Minister of Sport Pascale St-Onge, who believes this is a good process. However, we've heard very conflicting testimony about it. Athletes who have experienced abuse are saying otherwise.
I've been taught to always believe victims. If victims are coming forward and saying that it's inadequate, do you think it's important that we listen to them?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Sport Information Resource Centre
I always think it's important to be listening, especially as we're a resource centre. You're absolutely right that listening is important. Even during the creation of the UCCMS, athletes worked together with the University of Toronto to pull together the study that was done on the maltreatment of the athletes. That was brought forward, and I think it was really important to share that information.
To your point on information, I think learning, hearing and sharing it are valuable.
NDP
Leah Gazan NDP Winnipeg Centre, MB
I would argue that responding with action is as well.
One of the things that I have been recommending.... I used the child welfare system in Manitoba as an example this morning. We know the child welfare system is supposed to protect children, but there are a lot of instances where it has failed. From what I'm learning—and this is very new for me, to be honest; I'm learning about the governance—the governance structure in the way it's currently in place is failing to protect children, young adults and athletes in sports.
Do you think it would be helpful to have an independent third body? In Manitoba, we have the children's advocate, where children go. It's completely independent and completely independently funded. Athletes and victims of violence could go to that third body for independent review and oversight.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Sport Information Resource Centre
There are several pieces you brought forward. I'll try to make my way through a couple of the questions.
To the question of hearing from everybody, obviously we're a huge supporter of due diligence and anything else we can hear. Different voices bring different experiences that we want to bring forward. I think that's very important—
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Karen Vecchio
I'm going to ask you to hold on, because Leah has one more opportunity.
We're going to our next round, but in our next round we'll have to reduce our time once again, with four minutes, four minutes, two minutes and two minutes. That's what we're going with now.
Anna, you have the floor for four minutes.
Conservative
Anna Roberts Conservative King—Vaughan, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I have a question for Mr. Winter.
Could you please tell to me how many complaints you have had from athletes since 2015?
Director, Domestic Programs and Safe Sport, Athletics Canada
Specifically with regard to maltreatment in sport, we've had, I believe, 12.
Conservative
Anna Roberts Conservative King—Vaughan, ON
Have there been any non-disclosure agreements or financial settlements during that time?
Director, Domestic Programs and Safe Sport, Athletics Canada
There have not.
December 12th, 2022 / 12:50 p.m.
Conservative
Director, Domestic Programs and Safe Sport, Athletics Canada
No. The cases that have been ruled on are published on our website. They are made public for people to read.
Obviously, there are some reports that, due to privacy reasons around protecting our complainants, we do not publish. Again, that issue is dealt with between the commissioner's office and the athletes.
Those 12 cases have been reported on.
I'm sorry. If there was another question there, I missed it.
Conservative
Anna Roberts Conservative King—Vaughan, ON
Were there any financial statements? Did anyone receive any financial compensation?
Director, Domestic Programs and Safe Sport, Athletics Canada
No, there weren't.
In terms of non-disclosure agreements, it was AthletesCAN, I believe, that helped lead a process to ensure that non-disclosure agreements were not included in any sort of athlete agreements that were signed. Athletics Canada was one of the first of a handful of NSOs that adopted that agreement template.
Conservative
Anna Roberts Conservative King—Vaughan, ON
Can we get that testimony? Is it possible for you to share that with us?
Director, Domestic Programs and Safe Sport, Athletics Canada
Do you mean those agreements?
Director, Domestic Programs and Safe Sport, Athletics Canada
Yes, we should be able to provide them to you.
Conservative
Anna Roberts Conservative King—Vaughan, ON
I have a question for Mr. Eckert.
You have letters of good standing. Who writes those letters and who approves them? How do they come about? I'm assuming that you have had no complaints. Have you had any complaints?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Volleyball Canada
A good standing letter has a process, and it is issued for a team trying to travel abroad. In Canada, it means the province first reviews the team, the coaches, the staff and every player. Then they submit it to Volleyball Canada. We are the secondary review. We ultimately have to be the signatory because it involves international travel.