TORONTO / OTTAWA – AthletesCAN, the association of Canada’s national team athletes, the Canadian Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission (COC AC) and the Canadian Paralympic Committee Athletes’ Council (CPC AC) want to thank Minister Pascale St-Onge for recently meeting with our joint leadership.
On behalf of all national team athletes from coast-to-coast, we commend the Federal Government for its investment in sport safety in last week’s budget, and its commitment to listen to and address the lived experiences that our members have endured.
We are all united in calling for governance reform, meaningful athlete representation both on National Sport Organization (NSO) Boards and in the implementation and effective operation of the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada’s (SDRCC) independent safe sport mechanism. We are also asking for increased accountability, and the addressing of policies and funding structures that have led to the circumstances we find ourselves in today.
This is the first step in repairing this crisis and changing the fundamental culture that exists within the Canadian sport system. We look forward to working with the Minister and her team to ensure all athlete voices are prioritized and heard, and building together a healthier, more welcoming sport environment for all athletes across the country for years to come.
Following last week’s meeting, AthletesCAN, the COC AC and CPC AC have partnered together to hold a National Assembly. The Canadian Athlete Assembly will take place on Thursday, Apr. 21 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT in response to the growing concerns surrounding safe sport in Canada and provide an update to all members in attendance on recent developments.
National Team athletes are encouraged to check their email or contact AthletesCAN, the COC AC or CPC AC for further details regarding the event.
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 Canadian national team athletes, AthletesCAN ensures an athlete-centered sport system by developing athlete leaders who influence sport policy and, as role models, inspire a strong sport culture.
Our priority is to ensure our members are protected and we work to address health and safety, athlete funding, athlete agreements, athlete voice, anti-doping, athlete rights, athlete recognition, and athlete social responsibility. Follow us on social @AthletesCAN.
About the COC Athletes' Commission
The COC Athletes’ Commission represents the voice of Canadian Olympic athletes to the Canadian Olympic Committee Board of Directors, to Sport Canada, to the International Olympic Committee, international sport federations and all other domestic sport organizations. It is instrumental in presenting Canadian athletes’ perspectives in areas ranging from athlete rights, safe sport policies, marketing & COC partnership agreements, Olympic team selection policies and much more.
About the CPC Athletes' Council
The CPC Athletes’ Council is an elected group of current and retired Paralympic athletes (within the past eight years) that serve as the collective voice, advocating the best interests of Canada’s Paralympic athletes and the Paralympic movement within Canada. The Athletes’ Council works to provide input and recommendations from an athlete perspective to the Canadian Paralympic Committee staff, committees and Board of a Directors with respect to decision making at all levels of the organization.
For more information, please contact:
Alan Hudes
Manager, Communications & Sport Partnerships
AthletesCAN
Phone: 613-526-4025 Ext. 224
[email protected]
COC Athletes’ Commission
[email protected]
@TeamCanadaAC
CPC Athletes’ Council
[email protected]
@CDNParalympics