Ontario judge to lead safe sport commission
Canadian sports minister Carla Qualtrough has announced former Ontario chief justice Lise Maisonneuve will lead the Future of Sport in Canada Commission.
The commission's mandate is to delve into problems amid what Qualtrough and her predecessor Pascale St-onge have called a safe-sport crisis in Canada.
The commission will consult with sport bodies and survivors of abuse on how to improve the national sport system. It will produce two reports and hold a national summit to discuss preliminary findings during its 18 months.
Some former athletes, academics and former sports minister Kirsty Duncan have called for a public inquiry. This year's federal budget provided $10.6 million over two years to the commission.
“We need to change the culture of sport in Canada,” Qualtrough said in a statement. “Our sport system failed victims and survivors of abuse and maltreatment, including children. We must understand how and why this happened, and we must take action to prevent it from happening in the future.”
Quarterback Chad Kelly, who is under suspension for violating the CFL'S gender-based violence policy, was on the field Thursday at the Toronto Argonauts' rookie camp.
Kelly's appearance at the University of Guelph comes just two days after the CFL suspended its 2023 outstanding player for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both Kelly and club. Kelly is also suspended for Toronto's two pre-season games.
Argos GM Mike (Pinball) Clemons told reporters Kelly's presence was within the conditions of the league's discipline. Kelly, who was not in equipment, was working with the rookie quarterbacks.
FIFA has been told to reschedule its expanded Club World Cup just more than a year before the tournament is due to be staged in the U.S.
World players' union FIFPRO and the World Leagues Association are demanding reform of the international match calendar, which is controlled by soccer's world governing body. In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, FIFA has been accused of pushing players “beyond their limits, with significant injury risks” by expanding its competitions.
FIFPRO and the WLA say this is impacting players' welfare and their “fundamental rights.”
The 32-team World Cup for clubs has sparked concerns over the demands on players in an increasingly congested match calendar, which will include an expanded 48-team World Cup from 2026.
The new version of the Club World Cup is slated for June 15 to July 13 next year and will mean three straight years of major competitions during the usual off-season, given the European Championship and Copa America are being staged in this summer.