The Government of Canada announces funding to National Sport Organizations (NSOs), National Multisport Service Organizations (MSOs), and Canadian Sport Centres and Institutes to provide mandatory training on harassment, abuse, discrimination and maltreatment.
OAKVILLE, ON, May 21, 2019 /CNW/ - All Canadians should have the opportunity to participate and excel in sport, regardless of gender, age or ability, and they should be able to do so in an environment free from harassment, abuse, discrimination and all forms of maltreatment. The lack of gender equity in the sport system has been identified as a contributing factor to harassment and abuse.
The Government of Canada has heard the issues and recommendations raised by current and former national team athletes in the Prevalence of Maltreatment in Sport survey and by athletes and sport organizations at the Safe Sport Summit.
The funding announced today supports National Sport Organizations, National Multisport Service Organizations, and Canadian Sport Centres and Institutes to:
Today, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, announced $5 million in funding over three years to federally-funded sport organizations. This funding is part of the $30-million investment announced in Budget 2018 to support data, research and innovative practices to promote safe sport and the participation of girls and women in sport.
Our government has also proposed an investment of $30 million over five years in Budget 2019. This will enable Canadian sport organizations to advance safe, accessible, ethical and equitable sport. This funding will help ensure a higher standard of sport experience for Canadian families, athletes, coaches and other participants. Details on this funding are expected to be announced in the near future.
Today's announcement follows a series of steps taken by Minister Duncan in recent months to make sport safer and improve gender equity in sport.
Quotes
"We must put athletes of all ages and all abilities first and they must be at the centre of everything we do in sport. Together, we must do the hard work of changing sport culture. We'll continue to work with the sport community to make Canadian sport safer, more welcoming and accessible for all Canadians."
?The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport
"The Canadian Paralympic Committee applauds Minister Duncan for her continued leadership and commitment in working with her colleagues across the country and the sport community to address this issue with the urgency it requires. We fully stand behind this critical work and will be active participants in helping to ensure the sport community has the appropriate level of education, awareness, and tools to take the first steps towards building a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all Canadians."
?Marc-André Fabien, President, Canadian Paralympic Committee
"Coming from a sport that champions gender equality and safety for its participants, we applaud this initiative. The message to athletes is simple and profound?you are being heard, and you will be safe and respected. I know our athletes?in fact, athletes from all sports?appreciate the work and devotion of Minister Duncan to making our sport system a safe place for all."
?Katherine Henderson, Chief Executive Officer, Curling Canada
"The National Prevalence Study findings on current and former national team athletes' experiences of maltreatment give us clear direction for future education and training needs. Learning that athletes most commonly experience psychologically and neglectfully harmful behaviours enacted by their coaches, high performance directors and teammates tell us where and to whom educational programmes should be targeted. In addition, as the findings indicate that female athletes report more experiences of all types of harm than male athletes sends a clear message that education and training needs to address violence against women and girls."
?Gretchen Kerr, Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Vice-Dean, Programs and Innovation, University of Toronto
Quick Facts
Budget 2018 included an initial three-year commitment of $30 million to support data, research and innovative practices to promote girls' and women's participation in sport, as well as to provide support to National Sport Organizations to encourage greater inclusion for girls and women. The government's goal is to achieve gender equity in sport at every level by 2035.
Recent research notes that:
In April 2018, Minister Duncan convened a Working Group on Gender Equity in Sport to gather the experiences, perspectives and insights of 12 champions for gender equity in sport. The group provided a range of views and advice aimed at better understanding and serving the specific needs of girls and women in sport. Today's announcement was informed by discussions held by members of the working group.
Associated Links
Minister Duncan Deliver Remarks at the Safe Sport Summit
More Than 1000 Top Canadian Athletes Inform Prevalence Study of Maltreatment in Sport
The Government of Canada Is Taking Concrete Steps to Achieve Gender Equity in All Levels in Sport
Working Group on Gender Equity in Sport
SOURCE Canadian Heritage
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