As we approach the St. John’s 2025 Canada Games, the Canada Games Council (CGC) and the 2025 Host Society are proud to empower athletes, coaches, officials, parents and volunteers through a bold, new safe sport campaign designed to keep the good vibes going at the Canada Games and beyond.
The campaign is driven by a rallying video from prominent Canada Games alumni Kylie Masse (ON, 2013), Charles Hamelin (QC, 2003), Allison Forsyth (BC, 1995) and Woody Belfort (QC, 2019) that inspires people to speak up for safe sport.
“To have an impact, we have to call out maltreatment when we see it,” said Forsyth, an Olympian and abuse survivor who is at the forefront of the safe sport movement in Canada. “Canada Games participants are at a key stage in their development and athletic journeys, and this campaign will elevate their awareness about maltreatment in sport. As a community – athletes, parents, coaches, officials and administrators – we loudly need to expect better and rally together to keep sport safe for all.”
“There’s no room for bad behaviour at the Canada Games; we’re only about playing fair, being respectful and keeping the good vibes going at every level of sport,” said CGC President & CEO Kelly-Ann Paul. “We are thrilled to launch this campaign to not only educate people about safe sport on and off the field of play, but to present it in a way that is powerful, approachable and positive.”
Beyond the video, the campaign also features a training module for volunteers, a refreshed web page at SafeSpeaksUp.ca and links to the Canadian Safe Sport Program to help people navigate safe sport. Good Vibes Only will be featured prominently on social media, through education workshops and on-site activation at the St. John’s 2025 Canada Games. It will carry on as a legacy for future Canada Games.
“Creating an environment of safety, respect and inclusion is central to the spirit of the 2025 Canada Games,” said Karen Sherriffs, CEO, 2025 Canada Games Host Society. “This campaign is about more than just words, it’s a call to action. We want every participant, from athletes to volunteers, to feel supported, valued, and empowered to speak up. Together, we’re building an environment where only good vibes thrive at the Games and long after.”
The Good Vibes Only campaign has been made possible through the collaborative support of the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Government of Canada.
The creative was developed in partnership with WILL, a Vancouver-based marketing agency and the video was brought to life by St. Catharines production company Fourgrounds.
The next Canada Summer Games take place August 8-25, 2025, in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
About the Canada Games Council
The Canada Games Council, a private, non-profit organization, is the governing body for the Canada Games. Held once every two years, alternating between winter and summer, the Canada Games represent the highest level of national competition for up and coming Canadian athletes. The Games have been hosted in every province at least twice since their inception in Quebec City during Canada’s Centennial in 1967. The Games are proud of their contribution to Canada’s sport development system, in addition to their lasting legacy of sport facilities, community pride and national unity. The organization of the Canada Games is made possible through the tireless dedication of local Host Societies and the contribution and support of the federal, provincial/territorial and host municipal governments.
The office is located in Ottawa, Ontario, on the traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinabek People.
Media Contact
Adam Ward
VP, Partnerships, Marketing & Communications
Canada Games Council
award@canadagames.ca
Elizabeth Priest
Manager, Marketing & Communications
2025 Canada Summer Games
epriest@2025canadagames.ca