Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec Pascale St-Onge arrives to a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
OTTAWA – The federal sport minister is expected to announce changes to improve accountability and encourage sustainable culture change in Canadian sports.
Pascale St-Onge is due to outline specifics of the plan at a press conference Thursday morning.
The announcement comes after a series of hearings held by parliamentary committees appointed to investigate sporting abuses and safe sport in Canada.
Former athletes and officials have testified before the committees, with many athletes calling for a national inquiry to improve what they have called a “toxic” sporting culture.
Politicians have also questioned decisions made by sporting officials, such as Canada Soccer’s controversial broadcasting deal which was criticized by soccer players and Hockey Canada’s handling of misconduct allegations.
St-Onge previously said the government was considering ordering a financial audit into Canada Soccer much like it did to Hockey Canada when concerns were raised that public funds were being used to settle sexual assault cases.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 11, 2023.
