Sports Reform: Unraveling Canada’s Fragmented Sports System: Funding, Governance, and the Push for Safe Sport

From Broken Networks to Unified Protection: Reforming Canada’s Sport Landscape for All Participants

In this episode of Heavy or Not – Season 2 - #51 we report on Canada’s fragmented sports system, its chronic funding gaps, and why safe sport is now the top priority. We also examine the current complaint mechanisms and explore concrete proposals for a unified, safer future.

How Canada’s multi‑layered sport governance (federal, provincial, NSOs, CSOs) creates funding and safety challenges. The link between chronic under‑funding, the “Own the Podium” model, and rising abuse scandals. Existing safe‑sport frameworks (SDRCC, OSIC, CCES) and critical gaps such as legal aid and mental‑health support. Prevention tools in play: the Rule of Two, background screening, and education/training programs. Proposed reforms: a centralized sport entity, stronger governance code, and three options for a national safe‑sport complaint authority.

Canada issued a report and is working to unpack problems and find more comprehensive solutions to benefit all citizens.