Canadian Sport PoliciesThe Canadian sport and physical activity sector is influenced by a number of diverse policy areas, including sport, physical activity and recreation; health; infrastructure; and diversity, equity and inclusion. The collection of resources below provides information about a current policy-related priorities, and a number of links to key publications. |
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Current Priorities
Canadian Sport Policy 3.0
The Canadian Sport Policy helps to guide key policy, program and funding decisions. The renewal of the 2012 Canadian Sport Policy is set to take place in 2023 and all sport sector stakeholders are encouraged to participate in this consultation process.
The first consultation takes place on Oct. 29, 2021 at SCRI Conference 2021, however registration for this consultation is currently full.
If you would like to participate in future consultations for the new Canadian Sport Policy, let us know! We will keep you in the loop on the next steps and opportunities to participate.
More information:
- CSP 2012 Evaluation Summary Report | CSP Renewal – Environmental Scan
- CSP 2012: Full report | CSP 2012: Summary Sheet
- Toward the Next-Generation Canadian Sport Policy
- Canadian Sport Policy Renewal – Consultation Survey
Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS), version 5.1
Canada’s national sport community is dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming sport environment. On behalf of the national sport organizations (NSOs), multisport service organizations (MSOs), and Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute (COPSI) Network members, we are pleased to provide version 5.1 of a Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS). The UCCMS will provide the foundation for the development of a coordinated implementation strategy to prevent and address maltreatment across all levels of the Canadian sport system, and for all participants (athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, practitioners, etc.). The UCCMS is a result of an extensive consultation process that sought insight and expertise from within the sport system and from external subject matter experts.
Key documents:
- Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport, v5.1 (2019) | Download & Context Document
- Safe Sport Training – Coaching Association of Canada
- Canadian Sport HELPline – 1-888-83SPORT (77678) or www.abuse-free-sport.ca
- Prevalence of Maltreatment Among Current and Former National Team Athletes (2019) – AthletesCAN and the University of Toronto | Press Release & Final Report
- Para-Athletes’ Experiences of Maltreatment (2019) – Canadian Paralympic Committee, AthletesCAN and the University of Toronto | Final Report
Concussion in Sport
As awareness about the short and long-term health outcomes of concussion has increased, the Canadian sport sector has stepped up to proactively manage and prevent concussion in sport.
Key documents:
- Concussion Resources | Check out the Toolkit
- 2019 Canadian Concussion Prevention Workshop | Press Release
- Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport – Parachute Canada (2017) | More information
- Sport-Related Concussion Guidelines for Canadian High-Performance Athletes – Own the Podium (2018) | Press Release & Download
Gender Equity
The active engagement of girls and women as participants and leaders will enhance the Canadian sport and physical activity system for everyone. In 2018, the federal government set a target to achieve gender equity in sport by 2035.
Key documents:
- Gender Equity in Sport Research Hub | Call for Proposals (2019 – now closed)
- SIRC to Host Gender Equity Research Workshop | Press Release
- Women in Sport Work Group Recommendation Report (2018) | Final Report
- Historic Federal Announcement for Women in Sport (2018) | Press Release
- Actively Engaged: A Policy on Sport for Women and Girls (2009) | More information
Reconciliation
The Canadian sport sector has an important role to play in rebuilding Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples. In particular, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action 87-90 address the need to better tell the national story of Aboriginal athletes in history, support athlete development, increase inclusive participation and competition opportunities.
Key documents:
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada | Summary Report & Calls to Action
- Policy on Aboriginal Peoples’ Participation in Sport | Download
Inclusion for Persons with a Disability
The Canadian sport and physical activity sector is committed to facilitating the full and active engagement of persons with a disability – from recreational physical activity to high performance para sport competition – and to contribute to social inclusion through these activities.
Key documents:
- Policy on Sport for Persons with a Disability (2006) – Sport Canada | More information
- Accessible Canada Act (2019) | More information
Policy Documents
Canadian Sport Policy 3.0
The renewal of the 2012 Canadian Sport Policy is set to take place in 2023.
Canadian Sport Policy 2012
The current Canadian Sport Policy, effective from 2012 to 2022, sets a direction for all governments, institutions and organizations to make sure sport has a positive impact on the lives of Canadians, our communities and our country.
Click here for documents related to renewal of the Canadian Sport Policy in 2012.
Canadian High Performance Sport Strategy (2019)
Designed to guide the national high performance sport community’s policies and priorities in support of the 13 high performance objectives of the Canadian Sport Policy.
A Common Vision for Increasing Physical Activity and Reducing Sedentary Living in Canada: Let’s Get Moving (2018)
Developed in response to a call for a pan-Canadian framework on physical activity by federal, provincial and territorial governments, this policy is designed to unite leaders from sport, recreation, health, and other relevant policy areas to influence physical activity and sedentary living in Canada.
The Framework for Recreation in Canada (2015)
The guiding document for public recreation providers in Canada. Designed to enable all Canadians to enjoy recreation and outdoor experiences in supportive physical and social environments.
Active Canada 20/20 (2012)
Designed to engage decision makers and rally the collaborative, coordinated and consistent efforts of all stakeholders at every level to make a difference for the well-being and sustainability of our social programs, our communities, our country, and, most importantly, our people.
Other Policy-Related Documents
- Policy and Program Considerations for Increasing Sport Participation Among Members of Underrepresented Groups in Canada. 2nd Edition (2019) | Final Report & Executive Summary
- Inventory, Literature Review and Recommendations for Canada’s Sport for Development Initiatives (2018) | Final Report
- F-P/T Priorities for Collaborative Action for Contributing to the Canadian Sport Policy | 2012-2017 Joint Action Plan & 2017-2022 Joint Action Plan
- Canadian Sport Policy Formative Evaluation and Thematic Review of Physical Literacy and LTAD (2016) | Final Report & Executive Summary (français)
Click here for other Sport Canada policies, acts and regulations.
Is it time to rethink our long-term sport participation models?
In Canada, Sport for Life’s long-term athlete development model (Balyi, Way, & Higgs, 2013), now known as Long-Term Development (LTD) in Sport and Physical Activity, has served as the guiding framework for national, provincial and territorial sport programming since 2005. However, multiple models of sport participation exist in the academic literature and around the world. For instance, the Developmental Model of Sport Participation (DMSP) (Côté, Baker, & Abernethy, 2007) is among the most commonly cited models in the research world. […]