TORONTO – AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes, announced it is relaunching its anonymous Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) survey, in partnership with the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE) at the University of Toronto and the E-Alliance Research hub for gender+ equity in sport. 

The goal of the survey, which was originally unveiled in May 2022, is to assess the demographics of AthletesCAN members, the quality of their sport experiences with respect to EDI, and ways that EDI can be improved in the sport community at the national level. 

Since the initial phase of data collection nearly two years ago, the survey has gone through a significant revision process, including reordering and shortening of the survey, providing additional clarity and transparency where needed, restructuring of decision trees to allow for quicker responses, and shifting some sections to become optional. The result is a more simplified questionnaire that will allow for a more strategic and effective intake process. 

“This survey is important because it will provide us with information about the landscape of sport as it pertains to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion,” said Neville Wright, AthletesCAN board member and chair of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. “This edition is more streamlined to help athletes share their experiences with EDI in their sport environment in a way that is understandable, accessible and easy to navigate.”

The survey remains open to all current and retired national team athletes within the last eight years who are 16 years of age or older. Individuals of all intersectional identities are welcome and encouraged to participate.

As part of the revision, the survey’s completion time has been reduced to approximately 15 minutes and will request general demographic information, while asking about specific aspects of members’ sport experience in the NSO environment, including, the nature of personal experiences (i.e., positive and negative), overall impressions of EDI (optional), and perceived progress of EDI initiatives (optional).

“The Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education is delighted to be partnering with AthletesCAN on this important initiative,” said Professor Gretchen Kerr, dean of KPE. “The updated anonymous survey will give athletes an opportunity to have their voices heard and in so doing inform the design and delivery of safe, welcoming and more inclusive sport in Canada.”

About the University of Toronto Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education

The University of Toronto Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education is guided by a mission to develop, advance and disseminate knowledge about the interactions of physical activity and health through education, research, leadership and the provision of opportunity. Follow us on social @UofTKPE.

About AthletesCAN 

AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes, is the only fully independent and most inclusive athlete organization in the country and the first organization of its kind in the world.  As the voice of over 6,000 current and recently retired Canadian national team athletes, AthletesCAN membership spans 68 sports across the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan/Parapan American, and Commonwealth Games, and those currently funded by Sport Canada competing at Senior World Championships.

AthletesCAN ensures an athlete-centered sport system by developing athlete leaders who influence sport policy and, as role models, inspire a strong sport culture, through educational resources, support, training and professional development.  Follow us on social @AthletesCAN and Join #TheCollective today.

For more information, please contact:

Jacob Morris
Coordinator, Communications and Digital Media
AthletesCAN
613-526-4025 Ext. 224
jmorris@athletescan.ca

Jelena Damjanovic
Public Relations Officer
Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education
University of Toronto
416-946-3713
jelena.damjanovic@utoronto.ca