As a result of their deliberations committees may make recommendations which they include in their reports for the consideration of the House of Commons or the Government. Recommendations related to this study are listed below.

Recommendation 1

That the Government of Canada work with the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner’s Abuse‑Free Sport Program to implement mechanisms to prevent coaches or other individuals in positions of authority from utilizing abusive practices to control an athlete’s weight.

Recommendation 2

That the Government of Canada put measures in place to ban the use of non-disclosure agreements for survivors who have reported maltreatment.

Recommendation 3

That the Government of Canada suspend the federal funding given to national sport organizations who are not Abuse-Free Sport program signatories with the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner until they become signatories.

Recommendation 4

That the Government of Canada collaborate with provincial and territorial governments as well as with Indigenous peoples to ensure sports participants have access to independent maltreatment complaint mechanisms through the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner or other independent mechanisms to ensure transparency for sexual misconduct, resources for survivors, and equal service across and within jurisdictions.

Recommendation 5

That the Government of Canada amend the Physical Activity and Sport Act to grant investigators of the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner the power to subpoena witnesses and compel testimony.

Recommendation 6

That the Government of Canada require signatory organizations with the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner’s Abuse-Free Sport Program to implement the recommendations concerning them stemming from Sport Environment Assessments as a condition to receive federal funding.

Recommendation 7

That the Government of Canada make legislative amendments to grant immunity to investigators, assessors, mediators, and arbitrators working for the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner and the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada to ensure protection of professionals involved in investigating reports of maltreatment to be able to make decisions without fear, repercussions, or being sued.

Recommendation 8

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples, and sports organizations, work to ensure that the specific needs and experiences of young athletes are taken into account in efforts to create a safe sport environment.

Recommendation 9

That the Government of Canada develop and support initiatives that promote gender equity and diversity within sports organizations, especially the inclusion of more women and girls in leadership and decision-making roles.

Recommendation 10

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples, and sports organizations, include athletes in all bodies and all decision-making processes regarding sport in Canada.

Recommendation 11

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with provinces, territories and sports organizations, commit to funding education, training and support for volunteers, with the goal of providing them the tools to better support athletes.

Recommendation 12

That the Government of Canada accelerate its review of the criteria it uses to grant funding to sports organizations and that it include, in the new criteria, clauses mandating the respect of gender equity, diversity, and inclusion standards, as well as the respect of updated sports participants safeguarding standards.

Recommendation 13

That the Government of Canada make the core objectives of any new Canadian Sport Policy to be centred by the safety and well-being of sports participants as well as equity, diversity, and inclusion in sports.

Recommendation 14

With the goal of shedding light on how the sports system has allowed maltreatment of athletes of all levels to occur with no action taken, that the Government of Canada establish an independent national public inquiry into maltreatment in sports in Canada; that it appoint the head of the inquiry in the same way as the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner as set out in Parliament of Canada Act; that it ensure the development of the Terms of Reference of the inquiry be survivor-led and trauma-informed with the participation of survivors; that it utilize the process of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ pre-inquiry design process in drafting the Terms of Reference; and that it commit to implementing the recommendations made by the inquiry.

Recommendation 15

That the Government of Canada work with provincial and territorial governments to create a national registry of individuals sanctioned in relation to maltreatment in sports that is publicly searchable and that, in the interim, it amend the mandate of the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada so that it can maintain a public registry of imposed sanctions based on the prohibited behaviours in the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport.

Recommendation 16

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with provinces and territories, continue funding initiatives and resources that support the physical and emotional health and safety of women and girls in sports, including training for coaches and other professionals, mental health support, legal support and education and awareness programs.

Recommendation 17

That the Government of Canada work with provincial and territorial governments to implement mandatory training on preventing and addressing maltreatment in sports for all coaches, administrators, and other professionals involved in sports organizations, and that the training be based on the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent Abuse and Maltreatment in Sport.

Recommendation 18

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with provinces, territories, and Indigenous peoples, work with organizations that fall outside the mandate of the Canadian sports system that offer training and education to sports participants (children and adults), parents, volunteers, coaches, and administrators on maltreatment in sports, including on:

• all types of maltreatment;
• grooming signs, bodily autonomy and consent;
• power dynamics in sports; and
• bystander intervention and adequate and appropriate responses to witnessing all forms of maltreatment.

Recommendation 19

That the Government of Canada ensure athletes receive information about their rights and available services they can access should they experience maltreatment in sports.

Recommendation 20

That the Government of Canada specify required training and establish a national review process to assess whether a national sport organization meets the training requirements for athletes, coaches, and support staff as a prerequisite to receive federal funding under the Sport Support Program.

Recommendation 21

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with provinces and territories, work to facilitate more professional sport opportunities for women and girls in Canada.

Recommendation 22

That the Government of Canada provide funding for greater coverage of women’s sports, including documentaries, to increase visibility of all aspects of the athlete experience.

Recommendation 23

That the Government of Canada, in collaboration with provinces, territories, and Indigenous peoples, build sport pathways and career pathways for athletes from underrepresented groups including women, girls, and gender diverse individuals from Black, Indigenous and People of Colour communities, including encouraging more women to pursue leadership roles.

Recommendation 24

That the Government of Canada continue investing in gender equity in sports, notably in projects that reduce barriers for women and girls to participate in sports, including:

• socioeconomic conditions;
• lack of access to sports facilities, including community and municipal facilities;
• discrimination, sexism, racism and ableism;
• gender-based violence; and
• lack of health literacy.