Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC) is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement to join Abuse-Free Sport, the new independent program to prevent and address maltreatment in sport.

CKC and its stakeholders will have access to the services of the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC), which serves as the central hub of Abuse-Free Sport, following a transition period which will end no later than December 16, 2022.

“CKC recognizes that safe sport is everyone’s responsibility. We’re fully committed to doing our part to support a growing national movement that is changing the culture of sport in this country. As part of that commitment, we’re pleased to sign on to Abuse-Free Sport and to soon have the OSIC to administer our safe sport complaints,” said Casey Wade, CKC’s Chief Executive Officer said. “The sport community has been asking for just this kind of consistent national program. It’s an important step forward for everyone involved in sport in Canada.”

Canoe Kayak Canada has adopted the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS), which is a requirement before it can become part of the Abuse-Free Sport program, and is making the required policy changes. The transition period will include further updating of our safe sport policies, information sharing to our members, and completing consent forms from individuals designated as UCCMS Participants.

Prior to December 16, 2022, participants who have experienced or witnessed abuse will continue to have access to independent third-party services through W&W Dispute Resolution Services – safesport_wwdrs@primus.ca.

There is more information about the Abuse-Free Sport program HERE, on the OSIC HERE, and on CKC’s page HERE.

About Canoe Kayak Canada

Canoe Kayak Canada is the national governing body for competitive paddling in Canada, one of Canada’s top performing summer sports with a total of 26 Olympic medals, and a leader in the Paralympic movement. Canoe Kayak Canada is a member-based organization that includes an intricate network of clubs as well as provincial, territorial and divisional paddling associations. National Team athletes proudly represent Canada at various competitions around the globe – most notably the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Pan American Games, ICF World Cups as well as Junior, Under 23 and Senior World Championships.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Colleen Coderre
Communications Lead
613-530-6217
ccoderre@canoekayak.ca