Controversy surrounds firing of former Olympian
Two-time Olympic sailor Lisa Ross said she was fired by Sail Canada after she informed the national governing body that she was pregnant.
The 46-year-old from Lunenburg, a coach with the national sailing team for three years, posted on social media that she told Sail Canada on March 8 that she was expecting her third child.
“Nine days later, I was abruptly fired while working in Europe, halfway through a six-week training and competition block,” she wrote in the post.
Ross was in Andora, Italy, coaching the Canadian sailing team during the 2023 ILCA Senior European Championships.
Sail Canada said in a statement to The Canadian Press that Ross was fired because of a lack of money and not her pregnancy.
“Sail Canada terminated Lisa Ross’s contract for financial reasons which had nothing to do with Lisa Ross being pregnant,” the organization said in the statement, which was included in a Canadian Press story Monday.
“Discussions and the decision to terminate Lisa Ross’s contract took place well before she verbally informed Sail Canada High Performance Director that she was pregnant.”
Ross has filed claims with Nova Scotia’s Labour Standards Board and the Human Rights Commission.
“Starting legal action to get my job back and speaking about this situation publicly are not decisions I made lightly,” Ross said in the social media post.
“We need to have a conversation about women, mothers, and parents in highperformance sport. Leaders and coaches should not have to choose between their role in Canadian sport or being a present and engaged parent. Family should not be seen as a limitation or a barrier to success. I have not sacrificed my pursuit of excellence because of my family.
“I am a better coach because I am a mother — I have a broader perspective on my career, sport, and life. I am more purposeful in being value-driven in my coaching practice.”
Ross attended her first Olympic Games in 2004 in Athens. She finished 16th overall in the women’s threeperson keelboat. Four years later in Beijing, she was 17th in women’s Laser Radial (oneperson dinghy).
“I love my sport,” Ross said. “I love representing Canada and hope to inspire the next generation of young Canadians. I love the challenge of supporting my team to reach their full potential and perform under pressure.”