OTTAWA, ONTARIO – Speed Skating Canada (SSC) 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.
SSC staff, Board members and National Program athletes and coaches 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 March 1, 2023.
“Speed Skating Canada believes that everyone should have access to safe and positive sport environments. We have long been committed to doing our part in building this culture and are proud to take this important step toward offering the services of the Abuse-Free Sport program to our community. Collaborating with our colleagues and partners in the Canadian sport system to advance the safe sport movement continues to be one of our top priorities.”
Blair Carbert, President, Speed Skating Canada
During the transition period, SSC is completing full adoption of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) and making the required policy changes. Participants in the program will also be provided with additional information and training before they sign the OSIC consent form.
Prior to March 1, 2023, SSC participants who have experienced or witnessed abuse will continue to have access to independent third-party services by submitting reports to Michelle Simpson (michelle@simpsonlaw.ca). Members of the broader Canadian speed skating community not covered by OSIC will also benefit from independent reporting through the new Safe Sport Speak Up Platform being launched by SSC in January.