News Release

Brampton, Ontario

As the Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on the Status of Women in Parliament, Brampton South MP Sonia Sidhu is thrilled to share today's announcement by the Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, on the new actions being taken by the Government of Canada to improve the governance of federally funded sport organizations, enhance safe sport practices, and amplify the role of athletes in decision-making.

The measures announced today align with the testimony heard in our committee's comprehensive study on women and girls in sports. It is critical that we continue to prioritize the well-being of sport participants to ensure their physical and mental safety.

“I am particularly pleased to see that NSOs will be required to have an athlete representative on their board of directors, and that AthletesCAN will receive funding to strengthen its capacity as athlete leaders and support governance training opportunities. It is also encouraging to see the commitment to develop robust, consistent, and system-wide promotion of the tools and resources regarding harassment, abuse, and discrimination, such as the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport,” said MP Sonia Sidhu.

MP Sidhu recently hosted a roundtable discussion with the Minister of Sport and key local stakeholders. The roundtable provided an opportunity for these stakeholders to share their insights and experiences on issues related to sports, including access and inclusion for girls and women, the benefits of sports for youth development, and the role of sports in promoting physical and mental health. Through her leadership and collaboration with local partners, MP Sidhu is working to ensure that sports remain a vital part of her community's culture and that all residents have the opportunity to participate and benefit from these activities.

“I applaud Minister St-Onge and the Government of Canada for taking these important steps towards a more accountable and safer sport system for all Bramptonians and Canadians,” she said.

The concrete measures announced today are part of a long-term shift to turn the tide on a much-needed culture change in sport. The new mandatory requirements will increase the accountability of sport organizations, improve governance practices, and prioritize athlete representation in decision-making structures.  

See a comprehensive overview of these new measures here: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2023/05/minister-st-onge-announces-new-measures-to-improve-accountability-and-foster-a-safe-and-sustainable-culture-change-in-sport.html

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CONTACT:

The Office of Sonia Sidhu, Member of Parliament, Brampton South

P: (905) 846-0076   |  E: [email protected]