The Current - The Future of Sport in Canada

Episode Date: March 25, 2026

Justice Lise Maisonneuve weighs on what needs to change in sports in Canada so that athletes can feel safe. Plus, Adam van Koeverden, the federal Secretary of State for Sport on the government’s role.

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This is a CBC podcast. Hello, I'm Matt Galloway, and this is the current podcast. It was really normalized that a 17-year-old female athlete would be preyed upon by a coach or a sponsor. Laura Robinson is a former competitive cyclist, rower and cross-country skier. She's now a coach and journalist who's been advocating for years for changes to the culture of sport in Canada. It's important that we finally say out loud that sport is an extremely toxic place and that it has not just turned a blind eye but actually facilitated the sexual and physical and psychological abuse of generation of Canadians. Kim Shore is a former gymnast and a founder of Gymnists for Change Canada,

which represents hundreds of athletes who've survived abuse at the hands of coaches and sports organizations. For athletes and survivors, I feel like when I look back to my time as a gymnast and the yelling and the humiliation and the harm that came to all of us and then seeing it repeated with my daughter, I know that that problem is not solved. It's not over. I just heard from coaches at the national team level last week about new structures put in place that involve all of the same actors. who have been designing gymnastics programs for decades. Two years ago, the Federal Commission into the Future of Sport was set up with a mandate to hear the stories of athletes and former athletes. More than a thousand people made submissions,

including 175 survivors of abuse and maltreatment. The Commission's final report is now out. It calls the system in Canada broken and unsustainable. Justice Liz Mezzanov led to the Commission, and she joins us now from Ottawa. Justice Mezanov, good morning. Good morning. You write in this report that the painful,

truth is that maltreatment and abuse in sport remain a daily reality. How deep does that rot go? It, as mentioned in the report, Matt, it goes all the way from grassroots to the elite sport system in Canada and across all levels of sport in Canada. One of the things that you write is that too often winning, reputation, and funding are prioritized over safety and dignity. What did you learn about where that comes from, that winner-take-all? mentality? Well, it starts with a chronically underfunded sports system, and as a result, it develops a culture of silence, is what we, one of our findings. And the win at all cost is that in order to obtain more funds, you need to win. And if you, if there is any allegation

of maltreatment that is disclosed, there's a, there is a risk of losing the meager funding that, that the sport organizations are receiving. And therefore, that's what causes the issue that we identified in our report. And that culture of silence, I mean, that can impact athletes, it can impact coaches. You also suggest that parents could be punished for speaking it. Absolutely. We heard that loud and clear that there were repercussions to people participating in a sport system, including the parents, if they were to, you know, disclose maltreatment for their children.

We've spoken about this before, and one of the conversations that we've had is with a former athlete, Amelia Klein, who says we've normalized behavior in sport that would never be accepted elsewhere under the umbrella of tough coaching. We heard a little bit of that from Laura Robinson as well. Amelia said that if you had a math teacher who shouted at a student saying, you're stupid and you'll never amount to anything, that teacher would be fired. But in sport, we call that tough coaching. What do you make of that? She's entirely right. And we heard that over and over again. And that's why we call it. on the federal government to have a national campaign to educate the Canadian public as to what is acceptable and what is not acceptable. One of the things that you call for in creating that campaign are new bodies to oversee sport, including a Crown Corporation, which is what exists in Australia and New Zealand.

How would that help athletes? Well, first of all, the Crown Corporation, the role of the Crown Corporation would be to provide national leadership. It would be a corporation that would oversee federal funding that would set and enforce governance and safe sports standards. It would reduce duplication. It would improve accountability. And very importantly, it would coordinate policy, education, and research across Canada. One theme came across very loud and clear. The system in Canada is misaligned. And as a result, the mechanism to deal with safe sport, for example, is inconsistent all across Canada at every level.

But this, sorry, go ahead. No, no, to continue. I was going to say, how would the Crown Corporation address that? The Crown Corporation would not deal with the actual complaints because you will see in our report that we suggest a pan-Canadian authority to eventually deal with the complaint, to investigate and to deal with the complaints. But what the Crown Corporation is, that it would offer stability. It would make sure that the policies, for example, on safe sport are consistent across Canada,

that the education is consistent across Canada, and that very importantly, that governance and that the code of governance would be consistent across Canada. Because the culture of silence, Matt, is not only for people who were victims and survivors, but the culture of silence exists in the sport system. We heard from board members, we heard from different sport organizations, that there's a fear that if they speak about the lack of governance, for example, that there's retribution. So the Crown Corporation,

or the centralized sport entity, would offer some stability, independence, accountability, and efficiency. And also operate autonomously from government, which is important. Why? It's important because we've seen that, rightly so, you know, when the government changes, different ministers come in in the past few years. You know, we've seen numerous different ministers operating the role of minister of sport. And there's different political agendas. And therefore, we start all over again every time.

This would be away from the government and it would have a national strategy that would be consistent across the country. You've also called for increased funding for sports organizations, and you tie this to nation building, which is a phrase that gets tossed around a lot in this country right now. Why do you do that? We do it because it's important that everyone collaborates. It's time for the province's territory and the federal government to collaborate. And I must tell you what was very exciting for us to hear is that there's a real commitment that people, do want to do that and they want to collaborate together to make the system better.

And they have the same agenda. And there's a chance here for real positive change and to have a nation-building project. At a time when the federal government is in the process of cutting overall spending, you suggest in this report that the sports organizations could get some of that funding from sports betting. How would that work? What we suggest is that we suggest different options for the federal government to consider. One of them, for example, is taxation on sport betting, where the taxation could be given, the revenue from the taxation could be given to help these sport organizations. But we suggest different options. One of the things I've heard from athletes in the wake of the report being released yesterday is that they say it validates the

things that they've been saying for decades. And we heard that from Kim Shore at the beginning talking about how people have been calling for this for a long time, but also that there are still people in leadership positions in gymnastics, which is the world that she lived in, that were part of that toxic culture back then. They're still there now. So can you have change if the current sports leadership in Canada is still the leadership that people in some ways see as responsible for that culture? That is one of the reasons why we call for the central sport entity is to make that change and to have better governance. rules and standards that would be developed by the central sport entity to hopefully not have

those people in the system. That you need wholesale change in some ways to move that system forward? I wouldn't say that. I think we have to remember there are incredible leaders in a sports system and there are some very important leaders that really want to make a difference and have been pushing for change. So I think that it would be a case by case that would have to be decided. What will stay with you? You say that this is a defining moment for Canada when it comes to sport. You heard from so many athletes over the course of this commission. I just wonder broadly what

will stay with you from what you heard. The courage of the victims to have come forward. We can't forget, Matt, that they had no personal gain in speaking to the commission. they came forward and most of them wanted to come forward to make sure that this would not happen again to someone else and they truly believe in the benefits of sport and they want the sports system to be better. And what will stay with me is the fact that there are so many doors that were closed for these people to be heard. And now it's time for Canada, the provinces and the territories, sport organization, the entire sports system to act. act, work in a collaborative way to make the changes that they requested. And again, Matt, it's not only them.

It's most of the participants that we spoke to mentioned that change is needed to create a safe sport environment, an inclusive environment, a place where people can play and where physical activity is seen as being important. We'll see whether that change comes to pass. In the meantime, Justice Mizanova, it's good to speak. with you again. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Justice Lee's Mezzanuff led the commission into the future of sport in Canada. She is in Ottawa. Hi, I'm Jamie Poisson, host of the Daily News podcast, Frontburner. I got this really cool note from a listener the other day. They wrote,

I find myself torn between the desire to understand the world around me and the anxiety associated with the easily access barrage of terrible news. And yet, amidst the torrent, there lies a sweet spot called Frontburner. This is exactly why we make the show. So you don't get swept away in a tide of overwhelming news. So follow Front Burner, wherever you get your podcasts. Adam Vancouverden is the Federal Secretary of State for Sport. He's also in Ottawa.

Adam Vancouveran, good morning to you. Good morning, Matt. The Commissioner says that on all levels of sport in this country, there is maltreatment that includes physical punishment, sexual assault, training while injured, humiliation, discrimination, and exploitation. This is not the first time that findings like this have been presented. Given that, why would anyone get into competitive sport right now, whether it's a child or an adult, and trust they would be safe?

Well, thanks, Matt, for raising this important conversation on your show. And first I'd like to just say that the invitation for me to come to Ottawa for the first time was to work alongside the late Honorable Kirstie Duncan. It was about 10 years ago, long before I decided. put my name on a ballot. And it was that work that ultimately led me to make the decision to do this. And next, I'd like to acknowledge that it was the voices of survivors in this project that broke the culture of silence and their bravery and courage have created a great pathway forward for a better Canada. And thanks to the leadership of Justice Mazenov, Dr. Andrew Pipe, and Noni-Classen, we have a

report now, which is a roadmap for a stronger sport system in Canada. And I think, you know, it's worth recognizing their leadership and thanking all of the survivors who came forward. And as Justice Mazenov pointed out, had nothing to gain except a contribution to a stronger sport system in Canada. The question is why would somebody put their child into sport if, as Justice Mazzinov says, the system is rotten from top to bottom? So I don't think that was her exact terminology, Matt. She said that it goes from the root to the stem in many ways.

What I believe, Matt, is that sport is empowering. Sport is good for us. It's a source of joy in our lives. It's a way for youth to develop. And it's also a great way for kids to make friends. And that was reflective of my experience in sport in 18 years in the national team. And it's my job to make sure that that experience is reflected in all experiences across

sport in Canada. Now, I'm very proud to point out that about 80% of the immediate actions recommended by this commission are either underway or complete at this time. We're talking about a universal code of conduct in sport. that's complete and it's mandatory for all national sport organizations. We've invested in athlete mental health services. We've expanded the registry, which is extremely important. That means that predatory and abusive coaches who have absolutely no place in Canadian sport,

the newly expanded registry ensures that those dangerous people do not get a second chance to have access to children in Canada. And that is a result of their work and the advocacy of many, many survivors. We've also increased funding for Sport Integrity Canada, which is a new organization committed to safe sport across the country. And we've also drastically increased funding for community-level sport to ensure that more kids have access to safe sport that's full of joy. You raised the issue of the culture of silence.

This is something that has allowed this abuse to continue for decades. You were part of that system. You were part as an Olympian. You came through that sport system in this country. How would you describe what that culture of silence looks like? Well, I would say that it's over, thankfully. You think the culture of silence when it comes to abuse and sport in Canada is over? I think that the Justice Mazenov and her team have invited so many great Canadians, brave and courageous Canadians,

to open the door to these conversations that people aren't as afraid as they used to be, and that's really great progress. And the progress here is important. It's not a light switch that you can just flip on. But the day after its release, my top priority is to ensure that the honor and the spirit and the truth, and the true intentions of this report become true, which is that we continue to take steps forward to make safe sport a reality in Canada, and to reassure all the participants that their voices matter.

And they've contributed to great progress and will lead and have already led, as I've pointed out, to progress on a stronger, safer Canada forever. And I think the power of sport can't be underestimated. You know, I know that you love sport. I love sport too. And we want to make sure that it's safe and enjoyable for every single participant.

And because of the work that was, you know, kicked off by the Honorable late Kirstie Duncan back in, like, 2016, we're making great progress. Sport Integrity Canada stands up. They are a great organization, which is now committed to this end. And other countries are watching. You know, when I was at Milano Cortina, I had conversations with about a dozen other sport ministers from other countries. and they were admiring, many of them, our self-reflected sort of posture on this issue and our investments. So we're leading on this globally. I'm proud of that, and I'm very grateful for previous ministers of sport like Carla Qualtrou, Stephen Gilbo, Pascal Saint-Dange,

and as I mentioned, the late Honorable Kirsty Duncan, who have laid the groundwork for a safer, stronger Canada. Let me just quote back something that the late Kirsty Duncan told me on this program. She was in the position of the Minister of Sport. That position was eliminated. She asked what the government was doing on athlete health, safety and well-being. And she was told, we have to get back to what sport is really about. This came from the highest levels of government. She asked what that meant, and she said it's about winning.

It's good news for the country, and that's about winning medals. That's what she was told sport is about. Is that narrative change now? I've never heard that. As I'm now the Minister of Sport, we have a new government, and we're focused on health and joy and safety and what sport can contribute to our society, which is, as Justice Mason have pointed out,

a nation-building approach, projects that create opportunity for young people, whether their goal is to compete for Canada at the Olympic or Paralympic Games, or whether it's to be in House League and to develop new skills and make friends. We want to make sure that sport continues to be that nation-building project that I believe in

and that you believe in, and most Canadians believe in. But Justice Misionave also says in her report, and again, these are words that I quoted back to her, too often winning reputation and funding are prioritized over safety and dignity. So is that different now? It is different now.

We've also increased community level support with partners right across the country for non-competitive physical activity programs and opportunities for kids to develop their skills for free, low, and no-cost sport through the community sport for all initiative. That $75 million investment has contributed to almost two million kids trying a new sport. And that's the kind of joy.

That's the sort of quote unquote Norwegian model that we've heard a lot about. It's just expanding access, making sure that coaches are well trained. Like Matt, I've been involved in sport for 30 years. And in order to go to the Olympic and Paralympic games, I had to do a safe sport training. And I was glad to. And everybody needs to do a safe sport training module and takes time. you learn something regardless of how long you've been in sport, and you are reminded about the rules

and what is necessary to make sure that sport environments continue to be safe. I'm heartened by the progress. I know there is a lot of work to do, but I want Canadians to know this is why I got involved in politics, and they can count on me. Let me just end on that work that is still to be done. We heard earlier from the former gymnast Kim Shore, who advocates on this issue.

She has a message for you. Have a listen to this. I'm calling on the Secretary of Sport as a parent, as a former athlete, as a survivor, to take these recommendations and turn them into mandate. Make sure you are inspiring courage and bold action by anyone who has the power to change what's been going on in Canadian sports. Adam, we're just about out of time. So very briefly, why should Canadians like Kim Shore trust that real change now is actually going to happen?

Well, two reasons, Matt. I've met with Kim many times. I appreciate all of the contribution she's made to this conversation. Not only do we accept the findings of this report, we got started long before we read the first line. There's been tremendous progress, and we're not done yet, but we are going to continue to carefully review the steps needed to strengthen Canada and strengthen the sport system, but I'm very heartened by the progress. I'm heartened by the sport system, which is eager to make continued progress. And I thank, again, all of the brave Canadians who came forward to share. their stories. It's good to have you here as part of this conversation. This is really important. As we said, sports can be really powerful, but there are real concerns about whether it's also safe for those who are participating in it. Adam, thank you. Thank you, Matt. Adam Vancouver is the Federal Secretary of State for Sport. He was in Ottawa. You've been listening to the current podcast. My name is Matt Galloway. Thanks for listening. I'll talk to you soon. For more CBC podcasts, go to cBC.ca