CYCLING CANADA BECOMES ABUSE-FREE SPORT SIGNATORY ON DECEMBER 21
Ottawa, ON (Nov. 23, 2022) – Cycling Canada is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement to join Abuse-Free Sport, the new program delivered by the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC) to prevent and address maltreatment in sport.
Cycling Canada and its stakeholders at the national level will have access to the services of the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC) following a transition period that will end no later than Dec. 21, 2022. The OSIC serves as the central hub within Abuse-Free Sport and operates independently to address complaints concerning alleged violations of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS).
“Cycling Canada recognizes that safe sport is everyone’s responsibility,” said Cycling Canada Chief Executive Officer Matthew Jeffries. “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 administer our Safe Sport complaints. 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.”
Cycling Canada has adopted the UCCMS and is in the process of making the required internal policy adjustments to accompany this important step forward. The transition period will include further updating of the organization’s Safe Sport policies, information sharing to its members and the completion of consent forms from individuals designated as UCCMS Participants.
Prior to Dec. 21, 2022, Cycling Canada participants who have experienced or witnessed abuse will continue to have access to independent, third-party complaint management services through W&W Dispute Resolution Services (safesport_wwdrs@primus.ca).
More information on Abuse-Free Sport and the OSIC can be found here. For further details on Cycling Canada’s Safe Sport services, click here.
