Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec Pascale St-Onge rises in the House of Commons during Question Period on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. St-Onge says excellence needs to be redefined in the national sport policy. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
OTTAWA – Canadian sports minister Pascale St-Onge says excellence needs to be redefined in the national sport policy.
The emphasis on medals and podiums needs to change, the minister told a standing committee on the Status of Women examining the recent wave of reports of maltreatment and abuse in Canadian sport.
St-Onge says the independent sports integrity commissioner appointed last year can address complaints from national-level athletes, but a large gap exists at the provincial or club level.
Committee members also asked the minister about a national inquiry into abuse in sport.
St-Onge replied she doesn’t want to re-traumatize athletes.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 13, 2023.
