In December 2023, the Government of Canada announced that the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner and the Abuse-Free Sport Program (the Program) would be transitioned out of the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC) to preserve both the independence of the Program and of the SDRCC in its statutory role as an alternative dispute resolution service provider, support athletes and those seeking its services, and to further strengthen the integrity of the Canadian sport system.
The Program was created as an independent mechanism to implement the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) in response to immediate needs at a time of unfolding crisis within the Canadian sport system. At that time, the SDRCC had the capacity and experience to take on this important work immediately.
After careful consideration of options, we are pleased to share that the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) will be administering the UCCMS through the Program effective April 1, 2025.
The CCES has decided to evolve its organizational mandate to encompass all aspects of sport integrity. In the coming months, the CCES will transition its governance and operations to reflect this broadened mandate.
The CCES will consult with athletes, the sport community and subject matter experts to build upon and enhance the Program and the administration of the UCCMS going forward. After 2 years of operation at the SDRCC, this is a natural opportunity for the Program to evolve and grow as the administration of the UCCMS moves to a new home.
The SDRCC and the CCES will work closely together to ensure a smooth transition and will convene information sessions for stakeholders and Program signatories over the coming weeks. The administration of the UCCMS through the Program remains under the authority of the SDRCC until March 31, 2025.
“The SDRCC is proud to have laid solid foundations for the Abuse-Free Sport program, advancing its vision towards a safer, more positive and more inclusive future for sport in Canada. We look forward to collaborating with the CCES on this necessary program evolution and ensuring a smooth transition and knowledge transfer. We remain steadfast in our commitment to the continued delivery of the Abuse-Free Sport program until March 31, 2025,” shared Marie-Claude Asselin, CEO, Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada.
“Canada needs a centralized approach to address sport integrity issues that will create alignment within the Canadian sport system and builds the confidence of athletes, sport organizations, governments, and the Canadian public. Over the coming months, as we transition this work into the CCES, we will evolve as an organization into a broader sport integrity agency to ensure we have the appropriate mandate, governance structure and expertise to manage safe sport, anti-doping, competition manipulation and other emerging threats to sport integrity, while continuing to promote a values-based prevention approach,” stated Jeremy Luke, CEO and President, Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.
“Having an organization in Canada focused on the broad array of threats to the integrity of our sport system, including maltreatment and abuse, addresses a systemic gap and reflects an international best practice. I firmly believe that this transition to a future Sport Integrity Canada is an opportunity to build up and enhance the administration of the UCCMS through the Program and to better support those seeking out its services. I want to thank the SDRCC for helping grow the OSIC and Program and remain committed to supporting a smooth transition over the coming months,” shared The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Sport and Physical Activity.