REPORTING A COMPLAINT

There are 2 mechanisms with respect to reporting a complaint which are used depending on the nature of the complaint and the jurisdiction of the respondent.  The table below provides some detail as to which independent authority would receive the complaint.  Again, for any questions please refer our CKC Policy Suite and to the Canadian Safe Sport Program ( CSSP) to help guide you through this process.
What CKC CSSP Participant Individual (defined in CKC policies)
Alleged UCCMS breach

As of April 1, 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.

 Independent Third Party
Any other misconduct allegation under CKC policies Independent Third Party (reporting link) Independent Third Party

 

Canadian Safe Sport Program

Canoe Kayak Canada has adopted the Canadian Safe Sport Program (CSSP), which is in effect as of 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.

For more information about the CSSP and the UCCMS, click here.

How to report

As of April 1, 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.

Report online: https://cces.ca/report-safe-sport

Report by phone: 1-866-971-2777

Get help and information

You can contact the CSSP team with questions or for support here: https://cces.ca/contactCSSP. 

Complete your e-learning

CKC CSSP PARTICIPANT LIST

Canoe Kayak Canada will notify all designated participants who are subject to the CSSP. This includes, but is not limited to, specified athletes, board members, employees, casual staff, volunteers, and contractors, support staff, and medical staff.

Everyone who is subject to the CSSP must complete the e-learning course and sign the participant consent form. Canoe Kayak Canada will distribute 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.

Safe Sport is a collective responsibility. By reporting concerns of maltreatment in sport, you are contributing to building a safer sport environment.

Canoe Kayak Canada’s safe sport policy  reflects and supports the CSSP.

Independent Third Party

An independent third party is an individual external to CKC who is responsible for providing expert, objective, external facilitation of complaints in accordance with CKC’s safe sport policies.   

CKC has retained Sport Dispute Management PC led by Jahmiah Ferdinand-Hodkin (she/her) to provide the independent third-party services to CKC’s community.  Any individual who has witnessed, experienced, or received information regarding maltreatment of any kind can contact Jahmiah for information about the complaint process or to submit a complaint.   

You can submit a complaint here – English Complaint Form –  or ask questions of the Independent Third Party by contacting Sport Dispute Management at complaints@sportdispute.com. 

It is helpful if maltreatment complaints are made as quickly as possible, but complaints will be received and processed regardless of when the concerning conduct occurred. 

For more information regarding Sport Dispute Management and the complaint process, please see their website here. 

Reporting Abuse or Harassment is often a difficult process. To this end, a person can expect the following when contacting the Independent Third Party:

  • All reports will be kept entirely confidential, in line with the wishes of the person making the complaint. This includes confidentiality from CKC staff.
  • Complaint will be followed up on in a timely manner.
  • The Independent Third Party is available to support persons making a complaint through the process and will provide advice and guidance on steps as and if a complaint proceeds.
  • Complaint will be taken seriously, and rigorously examined.
  • Complaint will be managed in the language, and by an officer of the gender identity of your choice.

Should any complaint or concern come to the attention of the CEO or any CKC representative, it will be forwarded to the Independent Third Party.