Canadian Heritage committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. I think it's important that we have, as I mentioned, certified registered mental health professionals involved. As well, I think the number of sports lawyers in the Canadian system is overlooked. I would argue that human rights lawyers would be better equipped to handle abuse cases, due to their specialized knowledge in areas such as gender-based violence, discrimination and human rights violations.

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes. I think something that's worth mentioning is the need for, again, accountability but also the appropriate capacity of those in boards and those running NSOs. At any level, to eliminate and address this, there's a need for interdisciplinary teams who should be undertaking these safe sport investigations, audits, inquiries and reporting mechanisms.

Canadian Heritage committee  Again, as I mentioned, I think we're so behind by not having these governance audits across the country. We need, as Mr. McLaren said, appropriate professionals who have the appropriate capacity. Audits will ensure that organizations are capable and doing what they say they are going to do.

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes, I think it emphasizes the importance of independence in our reporting mechanisms. As some of my other colleagues have mentioned, it's the importance of whistle-blowing protection as well. The leading research in sexual harassment in sport highlights that harassment and abuse appear to be higher at the elite level.

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes.

Canadian Heritage committee  Absolutely, we can learn from our European counterparts. As I mentioned, Wales is doing a fantastic job right now, and UK Sport as well. There are some others—the Netherlands. I'd like to say something just in regard to some opposition to the inquiry, concerning the amount of time that it would take to do an inquiry.

Canadian Heritage committee  As I mentioned, some countries already require compliance with good governance standards as a condition for funding. I absolutely think that is something that needs to be considered. Regarding non-reporting, the research I did with my colleague Yanei Lezama was on sextortion around sport.

Canadian Heritage committee  I am concerned about conflicts of interest in Canadian sport right now. This is in situations in which, for example, legal professionals, academics or consulting firms are hired by sport organizations to advise or to provide guidance on evolving their operations. The same entity might be involved with investigations for misconduct.

Canadian Heritage committee  I think that independent governance audits should be required for Canada's sport, for the reporting mechanisms and for these for-profit safe sport entities. Basically, any entity seeking to work within sport in this capacity has to be held to greater accountability. Even with good intention, a lack of professional capacity, a conflict of interest or a lack of independence will hinder the ethical evolution of Canadian safe sport and appropriate athlete care.

Canadian Heritage committee  For the inquiry, as per my recommendations, I strongly believe we need to begin with commencing independent sport governance audits. I believe the government made a commitment or said in the past that it would audit our NSOs and sport entities, but it has not done so. I believe that is a priority and an immediate must.

Canadian Heritage committee  Wales, the U.K., Australia, the Netherlands and Belgium—the list is quite extensive. We are very behind in Canada.

Canadian Heritage committee  As I mentioned, there are existing global sport governance frameworks, such as the sports governance observer. These are benchmarking tools that enable organizations to improve governance by scoring on specific dimensions. You have transparency, democratic processes, societal responsibility, and internal accountability and control.

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes.

Canadian Heritage committee  Madam Chair and members of the committee, I express my gratitude for this invitation, for the commitment to addressing these critical concerns, and for your attention to the ethical evolution of Canadian sport. I'm here independently. What I mean by that is I do not work for, consult with or get paid by any Canadian sport entity.