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Toronto Sun
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Future of Sport in Canada Commission opens public survey ahead of summit
Published Jun 16, 2025 • 3 minute read Justice Lise Maisonneuve, who will lead the Future of Sport in Canada Commission, participates in a news conference with Minister of Sport and Physical Activity Carla Qualtrough, at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa, on Thursday, May 9, 2024. The Commission launched a public survey Monday, June 16, 2025, ahead of its summit in late CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Photo by Justin Tang / The Canadian Press The Future of Sport in Canada Commission launched its public survey Monday to gather opinions on safe sport and improving the sport system ahead of its fall summit. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Among the first questions posed: Have you witnessed or experienced maltreatment in sport, and how big of a problem do you think maltreatment is in organized sport in Canada? Former Olympic skier Allison Forsyth, a founder of Generation Safe and now safe sport officer for Canada Soccer, says while she believes the commission is doing important work, some survey questions assume a level of experience with the national sport system. Forsyth also asks if the person taking the survey knows the definition of maltreatment under the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport. 'When I'm out here doing my work, there's many people in this country at the grassroots level that don't even know what safe sport means,' Forsyth said. 'The questions in the survey are very good, but very specific. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'If it was sent to the public as their opportunity to contribute to the future of sport in Canada … it doesn't do enough to explain to people the foundation of safe sport, what maltreatment is, and what the universal code of conduct is.' Read More The survey is open until August and can be accessed through the website or the commission's social media posts. Forsyth, a survivor of sexual abuse in sport, recently completed her International Olympic Committee certification as a safeguarding officer in sport. She's also worked with provincial, university and club sport organizations in Canada, and wanted those levels to be more represented in the survey questions. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'My education and work is the people that matter the most, which is the children in sport at a grassroots level whose parents are entrusting their club to keep their child safe from maltreatment,' Forsyth said. 'If I was a parent, and I am one of high-level hockey players in the youth programs, would I know any of this? The answer, in my opinion, is no because the universal code of conduct to address maltreatment in sport points back to the federal level of sport.' The commission was among the various federal government remedies in response to a wave of maltreatment and abuse reports, both current and historical, that surfaced after the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing. Athletes spoke to parliamentary committees about mental, verbal, physical and sexual abuse, and their of retribution for reporting it. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. So the commission's two-part questionnaire released Monday 'invites Canadians to share their experiences and perspectives to help shape a safer, more inclusive and accountable sport environment across the country,' the commission said in a statement. 'Participation in the survey offers another opportunity for individuals to contribute to the national dialogue on improving safe sport in Canada and enhancing the overall sport system.' The public survey follows the commission's cross-country consultations in a dozen cities from October to January, when athletes, coaches, officials and sport organizations were invited to participate in writing, or via online submissions and surveys, if they couldn't in person. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The options of speaking or writing to the commission closed Monday when the public survey was introduced. The commission headed by Lise Maisonneuve, a former chief justice of the Ontario Court of Justice, is expected to produce a preliminary report in August ahead of a two-session national summit Sept. 8 and 9 and Sept. 11 and 12 in Ottawa. Former sports minister Carla Qualtrough announced the commission in December 2023 and the 2024 federal budget earmarked $10.6 million over two years for it to do its work. When Maisonneuve was appointed the commission's head May 9, 2024, the clock began ticking on its stated 18-month mandate to gather information, produce an initial report, hold a summit and provide final recommendations. Maisonneuve was granted an extension to March 31, 2026, for her final report. Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs Columnists Toronto & GTA Canada
Belfast Telegraph
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Northern Ireland's Paris heroes give back to local sporting clubs through Olympic Medallist Fund
Northern Irish athletes returned seven medals from France two years ago, including four golds, which has unlocked a significant amount of funding to be invested back into local sport. The Olympic Medallist Fund, which is distributed by Sport NI and made possible through funding from the Department for Communities, was split between the various athletes, with gold medals being awarded £20,000, silver getting £10,000 and bronze worth £5,000. Each athlete who won a medal was asked to select a club to award their funding to, with the money being used to fund new equipment and expand opportunities for people to participate in sport. All six of Daniel Wiffen (St Patrick's Grammar School), Rhys McClenaghan (Origin Gymnastics), Hannah Scott (Bann Rowing Club), Jack McMillan (Bangor Swimming Club), Rebecca Shorten (Methodist College Belfast Rowing Club) and Philip Doyle (Belfast Boat Club) were able to select clubs to allocate funding to. Minister for Sport Gordon Lyons commented: 'As Sports Minister it was a real privilege to cheer on our local athletes at last year's Paris Olympics. The incredible success of Daniel Wiffen, Rhys McClenaghan, Hannah Scott, Jack Milligan, Rebecca Shorten and Philip Doyle put Northern Ireland on the global stage. 'For a small nation, our athletes consistently punch above their weight, thanks to their dedication and sacrifices, and the unwavering support of coaches, school staff, families, and support teams. 'Through the Olympic Medallist Fund, these sporting heroes can give back to their communities and sports, creating pathways for greater participation and inspiring our future medallists. This also aligns with the goal of Active Living – Sport and Physical Activity Strategy for Northern Ireland to have 'More People More Active More Often'. 'It's been inspiring to see the impact of this funding at Rhys McClenaghan's Origin Gymnastics facility, which I'm confident will nurture our next future champion.' Sport NI;s interim chief executive Richard Archibald added: 'The six clubs and organisations chosen by our medallists were instrumental in their journey to the podium in Paris. With their support, equipment, time and expertise, they grew a love of sport within each of these athletes which turned into an Olympic medal years later. 'Our Paris medallists are an inspiration to young people within their communities and thanks to the Olympic Medallist Fund these organisations can now support other young people to achieve their potential in sport and hopefully follow in these medallists' footsteps.' Bangor Swimming Club will benefit from new poolside training and competition equipment; St Patricks Grammar School expanded their in-school gym for pupils; Methodist College Belfast Rowing Club can offer an elite junior sculler the chance to compete at international level with a competition sized single scull boat; Bann Rowing Club will add carbon fibre single sculls and oars; and Belfast Boat Club purchased new fitness equipment and support seats to allow people with disabilities to participate in rowing. Olympic gold medallist Rhys McClenaghan chose Origin Gymnastics in his hometown of Newtownards to receive £20,000 which has gone towards new equipment to expand the opportunities for beginners in the sport. "I feel like this grant gave me the responsibility to leave a legacy after my Olympic win. I couldn't think of a better way to leave a legacy than to donate the money to the fastest growing gymnastics club in the country, Origin Gymnastics,' said McClenaghan. "This will hopefully allow young gymnasts to follow in my foot steps and give them opportunities and equipment that I didn't have growing up in this sport. Origin offers a sense of community in my home town of Newtownards and gives everybody in the local area a true love for the sport of gymnastics." Luke Carson, chief executive and founder of Origin Gymnastics, as well as McClenaghan's coach, added: "Rhys has always been a shining example for our local community – his journey is a testament to the power of dedication, resilience, and chasing your dreams. "I was genuinely honoured when he chose Origin as the recipient of this funding. As a new gymnastics club in the heart of Ards, we're passionate about showing why gymnastics is a sport every child should have the chance to experience. "This funding has enabled us to invest in new equipment, helping us raise the bar even further in what we can offer to our members."
