June 19, 2018 – At a press conference earlier today, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, announced new and enhanced measures to eliminate harassment, abuse, and discrimination in sport.
“We all have a role in making sport a safer, more secure, and rewarding experience for athletes, coaches, and the organizations that represent them,” said Lorraine Lafrenière, CEO of the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC). "We commend Minister Duncan and the federal government for introducing these measures. The CAC is eager to work with its sport partners to implement them.”
The Government of Canada’s call for new provisions in funding agreements will support eligible sport organizations in fostering healthy and safe workplace environments. The full details of today’s announcement can be found HERE.
“I would also like to recognize the incredible courage of Geneviève Simard, Gail Kelly, Amélie-Frédérique Gagnon, and Anna Prchal who came into the public light on June 4th by sharing the abuse they suffered and challenging Canada’s sport system to become an environment that reduces the risk of abuse. Their selfless actions inspired four other victims to come forward: Émilie Cousineau, Allison Forsythe, Katie Bertram, and Gillian McFetridge,” she continued.
The CAC is committed to working with all Canadian sport organizations to adopt and implement supportive policies and processes to ensure safety and protection of athletes and coaches. To help organizations take action, it launched the Responsible Coaching Movement, along with the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES). For more information on the Responsible Coaching Movement, or to learn more about the different resources available (for organizations, coaches, and parents) to adhere to ethical coaching practices, please visit www.coach.ca/ResponsibleCoaching.
In addition to the CCES, the CAC is proud to work with organizations such as the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, Respect Group, and B2TEN to create a safer sport environment.
About the Coaching Association of Canada
The Coaching Association of Canada unites stakeholders and partners in its commitment to raising the skills and stature of coaches, and ultimately expanding their reach and influence. Through its programs, the CAC empowers coaches with knowledge and skills, promotes ethics, fosters positive attitudes, builds competence, and increases the credibility and recognition of coaches.
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For more information, please contact:
Michel Hachey
Manager, Communications
Coaching Association of Canada
613.235.5000 x 2382
mhachey@coach.ca
