Safe Sport

CURLING CANADA – COMMITMENT TO ABUSE-FREE SPORT 

Curling Canada is committed to creating an environment that is safe and welcoming for all participants.  Curling Canada strongly supports the need for independent mechanisms to accept reports and address violations of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS).

As such, Curling Canada has become a program signatory of the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada(SDRCC)’s Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC), an independent third-party safe sport mechanism that is part of a growing national movement to rid Canadian sport of all forms of harassment, discrimination and abuse.

The Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner serves as a central hub to independently administer complaints about alleged violations of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) involving individuals specifically identified as UCCMS participants of organizations that have signed onto OSIC.

Where there are admissible allegations of abuse, harassment or discrimination, the OSIC conducts independent investigations and recommends sanctions against individuals who violate the UCCMS.

The OSIC will also maintain a national sanctions registry, which prevents individuals from evading sanctions by moving to different sports or to different jurisdictions.

As UCCMS participants under OSIC, there are access to a wide range of resources, including victim services and referrals to specialized mental health professionals and experienced lawyers – all of it available in English and French. You can access the website by clicking on the Abuse-Free Sport logo or by visiting https://abuse-free-sport.ca/.

SAFE SPORT REPORTING 

At Curling Canada, a safe sport environment is one in which all sport participants recognize, and report acts of maltreatment and prioritize the welfare, safety, and rights of every person at all times. 

Below is Curling Canada’s Complaint triage process for the reporting of UCCMS violations to OSIC or for the reporting of violations of Curling Canada’s Code of Conduct or other policies to our independent third party, Wiser Workplaces.

It is important to note that the OSIC reporting mechanism only applies in situations where the Respondent to a complaint has been designated as a UCCMS Participant. If the Respondent is an individual who has not been identified as a UCCMS Participant, they are outside the jurisdiction of the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC) process.

Curling Canada has designated the following individuals as UCCMS Participants:

• Board of Governors – during length of term on board
• Senior Staff (CEO, Directors, some Manager Positions) – during length of employment/contract
• Athletes (once declared Team Canada, Designated National Team Program or National Next Gen Program, Carded Athletes) – during length of funding period or; during time where athlete is recognized as a Team Canada athlete.
• Team Coaches (once declared Team Canada, Designated National Team Program or National Next Gen Program) – during length of funding period or; during time where coach is recognized as a Team Coach of a Team Canada team.
• Athlete Support Personnel (Training and Competition) (National Team Program Coaches, Integrated Support Personnel, Team Managers/Team Leaders, Executive Chief Official) – during contract/event length.

If a Respondent is not a UCCMS participant, the reporting would be directed to Curling Canada’s Independent Third Party, Wiser Workplaces.

CONTACT INFORMATION

All complaints involving a breach of the UCCMS (Maltreatment, Misconduct, Discrimination, Violence, Bullying or Harassment) should be reported to the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner – Abuse-Free Sport.

Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner
1 (888) 837-7678
https://abuse-free-sport.ca/
Report a Complaint: https://sportintegritycommissioner.ca/complaints-reports

Complaints involving breaches of the UCCMS by non-UCCMS participants, violations of Curling Canada’s Code of Conduct or other policies should be referred to Curling Canada’s Independent Third Party.

Lise MacLean, Wiser Workplaces
www.wiserworkplaces.ca
[email protected]

Have questions, need further direction? Please feel free to reach out to Curling Canada.

Omid Kahriz
Chief Finance Officer & Executive Director, Corporate Services
[email protected]
Phone: (613) 834-2076 x126

Jennifer Ferris, ChPC
NCCP and Safe Sport Contractor
[email protected]