Debates of Nov. 14th, 2022

Sports

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Madam Speaker, the problem is that athletes seem to no longer trust the organizations that manage their sport.

The Prime Minister reiterated that from his seat in response to my question on October 5. When will he launch this independent public inquiry that will put an end to the mistreatment in sport and mismanagement by the organizations that are meant to facilitate athletes' enjoyment of their sport? This includes Canada Soccer, Canada Artistic Swimming, Water Polo Canada, Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton, Gymnastics Canada, Boxing Canada, Rowing Canada, Alpine Canada and Rugby Canada, which have all experienced problems.

As parliamentarians, we have the obligation to ensure that our athletes and our children are not denied their rights when they practice the sport they love. Sports organizations have failed in their duty and it is because they turned a blind eye to the misconduct and failed to act in the interest of protecting athletes and our children that the House is seized with this issue this evening.

In keeping with what we learned from the Dublin commission of inquiry into doping, recommendations need to be made regarding the needs of the survivors and there need to be repercussions. When will there be an independent public inquiry?

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

Madam Speaker, I really appreciate the engagement from my colleague. I appreciate it because he is passionate and he clearly cares about athletes.

At the same time, I was an athlete. I talk to athletes about this issue every single day. Somebody comes to me in my new capacity as parliamentary secretary for sport almost every single day to discuss these important issues. Without that experience that the then minister of sport provided me back in 2017, I do not know that I would be here as a member of Parliament.

I would also challenge the notion that we are continuing to fail. We are not failing. The Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner is stood up. It is a system that was designed for athletes and by athletes. It is not a system that sprung from a bureaucracy. This is a system that Canada can be proud of. Since June, the cases the member opposite mentioned and listed have all received attention from the office, and progress is under way.

That is not to suggest that more work is not absolutely necessary. That is true. There is always more work to be done, but I am proud of the progress thus far.

The conference was also an opportunity for ministers to assess progress toward making sport safer. Since the Red Deer declaration—

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I have to interrupt the member.

I just want to take a moment to remind members that, when they are speaking, they have to give the interpreters a chance to convey the message so everyone can understand. People are trying to pack more words into limited time, but I want to remind members that, when they are giving a speech, they have to make sure they give the interpreters at least a little flexibility so they can do their job.

The hon. member for Abitibi—Témiscamingue.

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for speaking French and I would also like to sincerely thank the interpreters. I am sorry. It is a fascinating debate and I will constantly strive to improve for them.

[The Assistant Deputy Speaker, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The motion that the House do now adjourn is deemed to have been adopted.

Accordingly the House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m. pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 7:01 p.m.)