Ottawa, ON – Football Canada 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.

Football Canada, 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 June 1, 2023.

“Football Canada 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,” Shannon Donovan, Executive Director Football Canada said. “The sport community has been asking for just this kind of consistent national program. It’s an important step forward for everyone involved in sport in Canada.”

During the transition period, Football Canada 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 June 1, 2023, Football Canada participants who have experienced or witnessed abuse will continue to have access to independent third-party services through W&W Dispute Resolution Services Inc., at safesport_wwwdrs@primus.ca

There is more information about the Abuse-Free Sport program HERE, on the OSIC HERE, and on Football Canada HERE.

For More Information:

Shannon Donovan

Executive Director

E: sdonovan@footballcanada.com