Safesport

Creating safe environments is our top priority and is a responsibility we share with all sport participants. Athletes, coaches, officials, staff, and volunteers have the right to participate in a safe and inclusive training and competition environment that is free of abuse, harassment or discrimination – collectively referred to as maltreatment.

In 2020, Nordiq Canada engaged outside consultants to audit Nordiq Canada’s SafeSport practices and develop a SafeSport program. Our SafeSport program will continue to focus on education, prevention and response, all of which will be supported by strong governance, policies and procedures.

Our Commitment

Nordiq Canada’s SafeSport program focuses on education, prevention and response, all of which are supported by strong governance, policies, and procedures. Make sure you understand behavioural expectations by reading the policies.

 

Reporting Maltreatment

Safe Sport is a collective responsibility. By reporting concerns of maltreatment in sport, you are contributing to building a safer sport environment. Nordiq Canada hired an “independent third party” (ITP) to receive and manage complaints independently from Nordiq Canada. Nordiq Canada’s ITP is Laurie Ehrman. You can reach Laurie, in confidence, by completing the following form. Laurie will use your name and contact information to contact you. Your name will not be shared with Nordiq Canada.

Nordiq Canada and the Canadian Safe Sport Program

In addition to the policies all Nordiq Canada members must follow, and the reporting mechanism outlined above, Nordiq Canada adopted the Canadian Safe Sport Program. This program applies to 150 Nordiq Canada members including Board members; staff, contractors, service providers, and mentees; national team and Team Canada athletes; High Performance Committee members; training centre coaches; and certain officials.

For complaints involving these 150 people, you can report to Nordiq Canada’s Independent Third Party using the form above, or you can report directly to the Canadian Safe Sport Program. You may remain anonymous if you wish. If you choose to share your name when you make a report, your name will not be shared with your sport organization unless it is necessary to keep you or someone else safe.

Are You in Crisis?

For all urgent situations requiring immediate intervention, contact 9-1-1.

If you are in crisis and need support, consider connecting with a crisis service:

  • Kids Help Phone offers 24/7 mental health support to kids, youth, and young adults by calling 1-800-668-6868 or texting 686868 or messaging the Kids Help Phone directly on their website.
  • Suicide Crisis Line is a Canada-wide service that offers a safe space to talk 24/7 by calling or texting 9-8-8.

Need emergency help while travelling abroad as a Canadian team member? Global Affairs Canada can direct you to trusted local resources:

Other Resources

Game Plan Services for Carded Athletes

Game Plan provides support to Sport Canada carded athletes in health, skill development, education, community, and career. They have several mental health resources.

SafeSport Officer

Megan Begley is responsible for Nordiq Canada’s SafeSport Program. You can email with questions and suggestions.

Another Change to Safe Sport!

As with many new initiatives, we’ve had a bumpy start to the national SafeSport program. Welcome to the new Canadian Safe Sport Program (CSSP), and goodbye to abuse-free-sport.ca.

Backstory: On April 1, the federal government moved responsibility for the federal SafeSport program and the UCCMS from one organization to another. This means Nordiq Canada and many of you will need to re-onboard, including taking a new course and signing a new consent form. We will send you instructions on this as part of athlete on-boarding for the 2025-2026 season.

It also means there is a new place to report SafeSport violations. You can continue to report violations to Nordiq Canada’s Independent Third Party, or you can report directly to Canadian Safe Sport Program. Remember that your name is not shared with Nordiq Canada when you make a complaint.