Ensuring children have access to safe ways to engage in physical activity is essential to a healthy and balanced life. Sports play a crucial role in children’s physical and mental development, offering benefits such as improved health and social skills . However, the current structure of sports in Canada, overseen by the Department of Canadian Heritage , has faced significant challenges in addressing issues of safety, inclusivity and abuse .
The fact that sports falls under the Department of Canadian Heritage underscores it as a vital part of our nation’s cultural fabric . This arrangement promotes national identity, multiculturalism and community building, aiming to make sports accessible and reflective of Canada’s diverse population. However, this vision has not been fully realized.
In 2022, Canadian hockey experienced a reckoning that resulted in House of Commons committee hearings from the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage and the Status of Women. These hearings revealed a long-standing “toxic culture” within Canadian sports , characterized by racism, homophobia, and gender-based and sexual violence. There is an urgent need to shift sports administration to Health Canada, which should prioritize the health and well-being of all athletes, especially children.
By understanding these proposed changes, parents can better advocate for a safer, healthier sports environment that supports their children’s development, happiness and health. The House of Commons h.