Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC) is dedicated to fostering and maintaining a welcoming, safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all individuals involved. CSC upholds a zero-tolerance policy towards abuse, bullying, harassment, or maltreatment of any kind. To support this commitment, we have implemented comprehensive policies, procedures, and ongoing training and education initiatives. These measures are designed for all CSC Designated Participants, which includes, but not limited to Employees, Contractors, Board of Directors, Members-at-Large, Committee Members, SportWORKS Officers, and Team Canada Members (as applicable), ensuring a safe environment for everyone involved in our organization.

CANADIAN SAFE SPORT PROGRAM

Commonwealth Sport Canada has adopted the Canadian Safe Sport Program (CSSP), effective April 1, 2025.

Through the CSSP Rules, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) independently administers the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) for federally funded, national-level sport organizations by receiving and responding to reports of prohibited behaviour, and by developing and carrying out education, prevention, and policy activities.

The CSSP Rules clearly and publicly set out how that will be done, including defined timelines at each stage of the reporting process. The CSSP also offers support services to connect participants with help along the way.

The UCCMS and CSSP Rules shall be read harmoniously to the extent possible. In the event of a conflict between the CSSP Rules and the UCCMS, the CSSP Rules will prevail, except in respect of UCCMS Section 5 (Prohibited Behaviours) and the definitions of Prohibited Behaviours in the UCCMS, which shall prevail over any conflict with the CSSP Rules. For more information about the CSSP and the UCCMS, click here.

Safe Sport is a collective responsibility.

By reporting concerns of maltreatment in sport, you are contributing to building a safer sport environment.

CSC’s policies and procedures reflect and support the CSSP.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

All Employees, Contractors, and Volunteers of CSC, collectively referred to as CSC Designated Participants, are required to complete several mandatory annual screening elements prior to becoming actively involved in any CSC program. These screening elements include:

1.  Police Records Check 

Everyone knows that a background check is only as good as the day results are received.  To that end, CSC requires that all CSC Designated Participants sign an annual Offence Declaration indicating there is still NO convictions under the Criminal code of Canada up to and including the date of the declaration, since the last Enhanced Police Information Check (E-PIC) or Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) collected by CSC.  Newly updated background checks are requested every four (4) years (once per quadrennial).

• Vulnerable Sector Checks (VSV)
• Enhanced Police Information Checks (E-PICs) 
• Offence Declaration

2.  Annual Conduct Declaration: Conduct Policy (2023.04.05)

3.  Annual Conflict of Interest Declaration: Conflict of Interest Policy (2024.09.04)

4.  Safe Sport Training: Safe Sport Training | Coaching Association of Canada | Association canadienne des entraîneurs

Building a culture where all individuals can thrive is a shared responsibility. The Safe Sport Training module, developed by the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC), equips anyone involved in sport with the knowledge and skills to recognize and prevent maltreatment.

Whether you're directly working with athletes or contributing in another capacity within the National Sport System, CAC’s Safe Sport Training provides the tools to identify, prevent, and address maltreatment in sport.

This accredited training aligns with the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS), reinforcing a commitment to safety and respect in sports.

5.  Complete your e-learning and consent

Everyone who is subject to the CSSP must complete the e-learning course and sign the participant consent form. CSC distributes an invitation that includes a link to sign up, instructions, and a code to access the course from the CCES online education portal. If you have questions about your education requirements, email education@cces.ca.

WHERE AND HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT

The CCES will accept reports through an online report form and by phone – both methods allow you to remain anonymous if you wish. If you choose to share your name when you make a report, the CCES will not share it with your sport organization unless it is necessary to keep you or someone else safe and will make every effort to get your consent beforehand.

Other CSC Participants, that are not CSSP Designated Participants or who are reporting infractions of maltreatment or any other nature, are encouraged to submit their report of an infraction (or “complaint”) together with a brief summary of the subject matter of the complaint, in a timely manner, to CSC's Independent Third Party (ITP), Brian Ward at safesport_wwdrs@primus.ca.

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Each National Sport Organization has its own complaint procedures.  You are strongly encouraged to visit your NSO's website for their specific policies and procedures. 

OTHER SAFE SPORT RESOURCES

CSC Concussion Policy (2021.04.22)

• Concussion – Parachute
• Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport (parachute.ca)

Canadian Anti-Doping Program (2021.01.01):  CSC has adopted the 2021 Canadian Anti-Doping Policy (CADP) that came into effect on January 1, 2021.  The CADP is designed to prevent, deter and detect doping and serves to protect the integrity of sport and the rights of clean athletes.  To learn more please visit: Canadian Anti-Doping Program | Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (cces.ca)