Sport Canada

Hockey Canada’s issues go beyond a few bad apples — the entire system needs to be re-engineered

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 30, 2024

in connection with an alleged sexual assault by members of Canada’s 2018 world junior team.

Key Points: 
  • in connection with an alleged sexual assault by members of Canada’s 2018 world junior team.
  • A woman alleged she was assaulted by the players while she was intoxicated after a gala event in London.
  • Formenton is one of five team members expected to face related charges, according to the Globe and Mail.
  • Hockey Canada has since announced it will no longer use funds from membership fees to settle sexual assault claims.

More than a few bad apples

  • The entire barrel-making system must be re-engineered to produce only the finest barrels to hold and preserve apples with integrity.
  • According to Zimbardo’s theory, leaders must remove the bad apples while addressing systemic issues — only then will they be able to create and maintain quality, lasting barrels.
  • Otherwise, the existing bad apples will poison the new, rotting the barrel from the inside.

Power in Canadian hockey


Hockey Canada has seen wholesale change with the resignation and reconstitution of both the CEO and board of directors. The new CEO was appointed in September 2023, but it’s important to note that new does not necessarily mean different. Sexual assault is an abuse of power. One could argue that the culture of misogyny and sexual assault evident across hockey environments is a product of power abuse normalized across the hockey world:

  • Though often well-intentioned, power imbalanced structures and hierarchies allow individuals and groups to abuse their power.
  • Power imbalance is often sought and preserved as a misguided means to achieve stability, security, dominance and control.

Fixing the sport system

  • Sport Canada leaders must remove the bad apples while re-engineering a new power-balanced sport system grounded in independence, transparency and accountability.
  • We need only look to best practice in sport itself as the blueprint for the Canadian sport system as a whole.
  • Sport Canada should then use these criteria to hold national sport organizations accountable.

Greater transparency needed

  • An excellent coach posts performance targets, criteria and measures early and often, and athlete performance outcomes daily and publicly.
  • Transparency creates a partnership model of shared goals and collaborative process, rather than a power-imbalanced model of authoritarian control and compliance.

Sport Canada needs accountability

  • Sport Canada has been chastised for implementing superficial box-checking processes such as the Canadian Sport Governance Code and report-card system, which has since been discontinued.
  • According to sound governance principles, Sport Canada needs to create a robust accountability framework that demands verifiable evidence of policy implementation and achievement of standards of practice as a condition of funding.
  • Only through a commitment to independence, transparency and accountability can sport bodies become a space that champions not only excellence but also the well-being of all its participants.


Jennifer Walinga receives funding from SSHRC and SDRCC for research on sport, leadership, abuse

Minister St-Onge announces new measures to improve accountability and foster a safe and sustainable culture change in sport

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 11, 2023

The concrete measures I have announced today are part of a long-term shift to turn the tide on a much-needed culture change in sport.

Key Points: 
  • The concrete measures I have announced today are part of a long-term shift to turn the tide on a much-needed culture change in sport.
  • The new mandatory requirements will increase the accountability of sport organizations, improve governance practices, and prioritize athlete representation in decision-making structures.
  • These rules aim to promote a respectful sport culture that offers quality, inclusive, accessible, welcoming, and safe sport experiences.
  • This foundational code provides the Canadian sport community with a significant tool for preventing and effectively responding to maltreatment in sport.

Government of Canada announces financial support for Biathlon Canada

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 22, 2023

As the single largest investor in Canada's sport system, the Government of Canada is proud of the investments it makes to support Canadian athletes, the national and multisport organizations that support them, and the hosting of international sport events.

Key Points: 
  • As the single largest investor in Canada's sport system, the Government of Canada is proud of the investments it makes to support Canadian athletes, the national and multisport organizations that support them, and the hosting of international sport events.
  • Thanks to our support, Biathlon Canada will be able to do exactly that.
  • We are very grateful to Sport Canada and Minister St-Onge for their support of Biathlon Canada and the Canadian Sport System."
  • Biathlon Canada is the official governing organization for the sport of biathlon in Canada.

Government of Canada announces financial support for Alpine Canada

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 22, 2022

As the single largest investor in Canada's sport system, the Government of Canada is proud of the investments it makes to support Canadian athletes, the national and multisport organizations that support them, and the hosting of international sport events.

Key Points: 
  • As the single largest investor in Canada's sport system, the Government of Canada is proud of the investments it makes to support Canadian athletes, the national and multisport organizations that support them, and the hosting of international sport events.
  • Our funding of $6.2 million gives Alpine Canada tools to offer safer training environments for all, and better means to support high-performing athletes and conduct daily operations.
  • "Alpine Canada deeply appreciates the support of the Government of Canada in the hosting of our international events, as well as our shared commitment to provide a healthy, safe and inclusive sport environment for all.
  • Therese Brisson, President & Chief Executive Officer, Alpine Canada
    Alpine Canada is the official governing organization for the sport of alpine skiing in Canada.

Government of Canada announces financial support for Canada Basketball

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 10, 2022

Our $5.6 million in funding gives Canada Basketball and Wheelchair Basketball Canada the tools to offer safer training environments, support high-performing athletes more effectively and conduct daily operations.

Key Points: 
  • Our $5.6 million in funding gives Canada Basketball and Wheelchair Basketball Canada the tools to offer safer training environments, support high-performing athletes more effectively and conduct daily operations.
  • As part of this investment in Canada Basketball, Edmonton will welcome visitors from across Canada and around the world for the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers in 2023.
  • Canada Basketball is the official governing organization for basketball in Canada.
  • Wheelchair Basketball Canada is the official governing organization for wheelchair basketball in Canada.

PHYSICAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION CANADA LAUNCHES $2M SCHOOL SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GRANT PROGRAM

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 6, 2022

OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 6, 2022 /CNW/ -Physical and Health Education Canada (PHE Canada) is proud to announce funding from Sport Canada to increase the physical activity of K-12 students across Canada through the Access to Action Granting Program.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 6, 2022 /CNW/ -Physical and Health Education Canada (PHE Canada) is proud to announce funding from Sport Canada to increase the physical activity of K-12 students across Canada through the Access to Action Granting Program.
  • The past three school years have reinforced the need for better health and physical education support for all students, and highlighted the disparities that equity-deserving students (including Indigenous, Black, students with disabilities, LGBTQ2IA+, Newcomers) face when accessing sport and physical activity opportunities.
  • Grants will enable schools to create meaningful relationships with community organizations to support engaging, and re-engaging, equity-deserving youth in physical activity and sport.
  • PHE Canada champions healthy, active kids by promoting and advancing quality health and physical education opportunities and healthy learning environments.

An Open Letter to Canadians

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 14, 2022

You have rewarded us for those efforts by allowing us to provide positive hockey experiences to generations of young Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

Key Points: 
  • You have rewarded us for those efforts by allowing us to provide positive hockey experiences to generations of young Canadians from coast to coast to coast.
  • We have heard from Canadians, players, their families, fans, sponsors and those impacted by what occurred in 2018.
  • We own that and will do better to deliver on our responsibilities to Canadians.
  • Canadians have been loud and clear: you expect our national sport and those representing it to work hard to earn your trust each day.

CPC grants $200,000 to Para sport organizations for 2022-23 Paralympic Sport Development Fund

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 28, 2022

OTTAWA, June 28, 2022 /CNW/ - The Canadian Paralympic Committee has awarded 19 organizations across Canada with 2022-23 Paralympic Sport Development Fund grants in support of Para sport programs and initiatives.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, June 28, 2022 /CNW/ - The Canadian Paralympic Committee has awarded 19 organizations across Canada with 2022-23 Paralympic Sport Development Fund grants in support of Para sport programs and initiatives.
  • This year, grants were also awarded specifically to a few programs aimed at promoting and supporting the development of women and girls in Para sport, as well as organizations planning larger multi-sport initiatives.
  • Congratulations to all of the Paralympic Sport Development Fund recipients and thank you for your immense work."
  • The Paralympic Sport Development Fund is made possible through a collaboration between Sport Canada, CPC, and the Paralympic Foundation of Canada.

Kelly-Ann Paul Announced as Canada Games Council President and CEO

Retrieved on: 
Monday, November 22, 2021

OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 22, 2021 /CNW/ - The Board of the Canada Games Council (CGC) is happy to announce Kelly-Ann Paul as the organization's next President and CEO.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 22, 2021 /CNW/ - The Board of the Canada Games Council (CGC) is happy to announce Kelly-Ann Paul as the organization's next President and CEO.
  • Further, Paul will lead the vision for the future of the Canada Games through its next strategic plan.
  • "The Canada Games strengthen the fabric of Canada," said Paul.
  • The Canada Games Council, a private, non-profit organization, is the governing body for the Canada Games.

Minister Duncan Announces Support for Sport Organizations to Address Harassment, Abuse, Discrimination and Maltreatment in Sport

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 21, 2019

The Government of Canada announces funding to National Sport Organizations (NSOs), National Multisport Service Organizations (MSOs), and Canadian Sport Centres and Institutes to provide mandatory training on harassment, abuse, discrimination and maltreatment.

Key Points: 
  • The Government of Canada announces funding to National Sport Organizations (NSOs), National Multisport Service Organizations (MSOs), and Canadian Sport Centres and Institutes to provide mandatory training on harassment, abuse, discrimination and maltreatment.
  • Today, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, announced $5 million in funding over three years to federally-funded sport organizations.
  • This will enable Canadian sport organizations to advance safe, accessible, ethical and equitable sport.
  • Today's announcement follows a series of steps taken by Minister Duncan in recent months to make sport safer and improve gender equity in sport.