Future of Sport in Canada Commission deadline extended after federal cabinet shakeup
The Future of Sport in Canada Commission has been granted an extension to delay its final recommendations on how to make sport safer. The commission, which was established by former sports minister Carla Qualtrough in December 2023, was initially given an 18-month timeline to complete its work. However, with the recent cabinet shuffle by new Prime Minister Mark Carney, Steven Guilbeault has taken over the responsibility for sports and announced an extension to March 31, 2026.
The commission’s mandate is to provide recommendations on making sport safer in response to what has been described as a safe-sport crisis, as well as offering opinions on improving the overall sport system in Canada. The federal government allocated $10.6 million over two years to support the commission in its efforts.
Lise Maisonneuve was appointed as the head of the commission in May 2024, and since then, the commission has been working diligently to gather information, produce an initial report, hold a summit, and provide final recommendations. However, with the extension granted by Guilbeault, the timeline for the commission’s final report has been pushed into 2026.
Sport has been a significant aspect of federal politics in Canada over the past decade, and under Guilbeault’s leadership, the government aims to build a “safe, inclusive, and welcoming” sport system. The commission has been engaging in cross-country consultations, inviting input from athletes, coaches, officials, and sport organizations through various channels, including online submissions and surveys.
The commission plans to launch an anonymous public survey soon and has announced that a preliminary report and a national summit to discuss it will take place in early fall 2025. Maisonneuve emphasized the importance of continuing the dialogue to create well-informed recommendations that will shape a safer and improved sport system in Canada.
In addition to the work of the commission, the investigation and management of abuse complaints in Canadian sport will transition from the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner to the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport on April 1. This move aims to ensure a more streamlined and effective process for addressing and resolving issues of misconduct and abuse in the sport sector.
Overall, the Future of Sport in Canada Commission plays a crucial role in shaping the future of sport in the country, and the extension granted by Guilbeault reflects the government’s commitment to creating a safer and more inclusive sport environment for all Canadians.
