Former Ontario chief justice to lead commission investigating systemic abuse in sport

Sport and Physical Activity Minister Carla Qualtrough has appointed a former chief justice of the Ontario Court of Justice to lead a three-person commission probing systemic abuse in sports.

Lise Maisonneuve will be joined on the Future of Sport in Canada Commission by Noni Classen, director of education at the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, and Dr. Andrew Pipe, an expert in sport medicine and health promotion.

The 18-month commission will examine the sport system in Canada to ensure a safe environment for Canadian athletes, said Qualtrough, who announced the commission back in December.

"The ultimate goal is first and foremost to listen to Canadians, to listen from various organizations and to consult with the provinces and territories," said Maisonneuve, adding that concrete recommendations will be made to the federal government at the end of the hearing process.

Maisonneuve did not offer any details on how she intends to approach the task. Qualtrough confirmed the process is modelled after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Commission members held their first meeting today to plan next steps.

As outlined in this year's federal budget, the commission is set to receive $10.6 million over two years, during which two reports will be produced — a preliminary report and a final report expected 18 months from now.

"The commission needs to hear from people, stakeholders and experts from inside as well as outside ... the sports system," said Qualtrough.

Amelia Cline, managing director of Athletes Empowered, said she and other abuse survivors have been calling for an inquiry with the power to compel individuals and organizations to testify — not a commission.

"Because it's a commission, people have to testify on a voluntary basis. Why would a sports association that's been criticized for covering up abuse voluntarily sit before a commission and confess all of the things?" she asked.

She said she hopes the commission appointees show "teeth" and a "level of boldness in their pursuit of the information. The commission is going to live and die by them and their courage."

Qualtrough has defended her decision to launch a commission by calling it the most humane option. An inquiry would place victims at risk of undergoing cross-examination, she said.

"We don't want people to have to prove they were traumatized," she said back in December.