Sports

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.

Standing Committee on the Status of Women also wants review process for sports funding

A woman looks on.
Former professional soccer player Ciara McCormack, seen above in April, was among the athletes calling for a public inquiry into athlete maltreatment in Canada — a move recommended by the Standing Committee on the Status of Women on Thursday. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

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 list of those having made such calls includes former Canada women's soccer captain Andrea Neil, fellow soccer player Ciara McCormack and CEO of Canadian Women and Sport Allison Sandmeyer-Graves, among others.

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.

With files from CBC Sports

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