THE NEW CANADIAN SAFE SPORT PROGRAM: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Starting April 1, 2025, the Abuse-Free Sport Program will be replaced by the Canadian Safe Sport Program (CSSP). As a program signatory, Cycling Canada and all its participants will fall under the jurisdiction of this new program and its regulations.
Keep reading to learn the following:
- What is the Canadian Safe Sport Program?
- How will this change affect Cycling Canada participants and events?
- How does this change affect existing reports or if I want to make a report before the CSSP launches?
- Important Safe Sport resources
What is the Canadian Safe Sport Program (CSSP)?
The CSSP will administer the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) and the subsequent independent process for managing reports of UCCMS violations. The program will be delivered by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) starting on April 1, 2025, with the full program launch completed by Aug. 1, 2025.
In 2018, Sport Canada began formalizing measures to foster sport and work environments free from harassment, abuse or discrimination of any kind across the national sport system. This led to the development of the UCCMS in 2019 and the Abuse-Free Sport Program in 2022.
The Abuse-Free Sport Program, including the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC), was delivered by the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC). The program and OSIC will close permanently on Aug. 1, 2025, after a comprehensive transition period.
How will this change affect Cycling Canada participants and events?
The Cycling Canada Boad of Directors, Canadian National Cycling Team athletes, staff and support personnel, officials and affiliated teams currently fall under the jurisdiction of the Abuse-Free Sport Program and will transfer to the CSSP starting April 1, 2025.
There will be no immediate change or additional requirements as of April 1, 2025, for participants in Cycling Canada events, including athletes competing in Canadian Cycling Championships or the Canada Cup Series. One Canadian Cycling Championship will be chosen in the next year to pilot the inclusion of national-level events under the CSSP. Cycling Canada will communicate pilot details at least three months in advance of the selected Championship.
How does this change affect existing reports of UCCMS violations or if I want to make a report before the CSSP launches?
For existing reports:
- OSIC will continue to investigate all reports made before Feb. 1, 2025, and manage them until July 31, 2025.
- If any cases are still unresolved at the end of this period, OSIC will advise parties that the cases cannot be resolved by OSIC and, with the consent of the parties, the CCES will determine their eligibility under the CSSP.
For new reports:
- OSIC will continue to accept reports until March 31, 2025, but will not start new investigations.
- Reports will be reviewed to see if immediate action through provisional measures is warranted; reports not requiring immediate action will be held until April 1, 2025, when those reports will be shared, with the consent of the parties, with the CCES to see if they qualify under the CSSP.
- Potential complainants can also wait until April 1, 2025, to submit their report directly to the CCES.
OSIC will continue to provide support services for sport participants, including victims and survivors, such as the Helpline, Mental Health Support Program, and Legal Aid Program, until March 31, 2025.
Important Safe Sport resources
More information about Cycling Canada’s commitment to Safe Sport and additional resources can be found on our website at www.cyclingcanada.ca/resources/safe-sport.
Key references include:
- Cycling Canada Safe Sport Policy
- Cycling Canada Code of Conduct and Ethics
- Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport
- Abuse-Free Sport Helpline, available to all Canadians in crisis: 1-888-83SPORT (77678)
- Safe Sport Education for Youth
Questions?
For questions regarding the CSSP adoption process, please contact the CCES directly. For questions relating to Cycling Canada’s Safe Sport programs and policies, please contact Cycling Canada Communications Manager, Caroline Soble, at caroline.soble@cyclingcanada.ca.
