Parliamentary committee recommends public inquiry into athlete maltreatment

The Standing Committee on the Status of Women recommends the government of Canada establish an independent national public inquiry into maltreatment in Canadian sport.

The study was a result of several athletes across various sports having spoken out regarding maltreatment in Canadian sport. A number of witnesses called for the federal government to establish the now-recommended public inquiry into maltreatment in sport.

An ultimate decision on an inquiry is in the hands of federal Sports Minister Pascale St-Onge.

The committee also recommended that the government establish a national review process to determine whether a national sport organization can receive federal funding under the Sport Support Program.

Part of the recommendation — among the 24 made by the committee in a report based on its study on the experience of women and girls in sport — is based around training requirements for athletes, coaches, and support staff serving as a prerequisite to get funding.

The list also included making legislative amendments to grant immunity to some working for the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner and the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada for protection and the ability to make decisions without fear of repercussions.