Ottawa, November 16, 2022 – Canada Artistic Swimming is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement to join Abuse-Free Sport, the new independent program to prevent and address maltreatment in sport.

Canada Artistic Swimming and its stakeholders at the national level will have access to the services of the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC), which serves as the central hub of Abuse-Free Sport, following a transition period which will end no later than December 31, 2022.

“Canada Artistic Swimming recognizes that safe sport is everyone’s responsibility. We’re fully committed to doing our part to support a growing national movement that is changing the culture of sport in this country. As part of that commitment, we’re pleased to sign on to Abuse-Free Sport and to soon have the OSIC to administer our safe sport complaints,” said Jackie Buckingham, CEO Canada Artistic Swimming.

“The sport community has been asking for just this kind of consistent national program. It’s an important step forward for everyone involved in sports in Canada and we are pleased to be included in the list of early signatories.” 

During the transition period, Canada Artistic Swimming is completing full adoption of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS), which it must do before it can become part of the Abuse-Free Sport program, and making the required policy changes.

Prior to January 1, 2023, participants who have experienced or witnessed abuse will continue to have access to independent third-party services through the CAS MAKE A REPORT, an online reporting mechanism leading to external complaint triage officer Lise Maclean.

There is more information about the Abuse-Free Sport program here, on the OSIC here, and on CAS website here. 

For information : 
Stéphane Côté
Chief Officer – Business Development
stephane@artisticswimming.ca
418.420.2125