The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport has placed Cricket Canada under suspension from the Canadian Safe Sport Program due to non-compliance with required e-learning and consent procedures. This action was announced by the CCES in a statement released on Wednesday.
Following the transfer of safe sport management responsibilities from the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner to the CCES on April 1, the CCES has been overseeing the handling of complaints and investigations related to abuse and maltreatment in sports in Canada. Efforts have been made to onboard Cricket Canada into the Canadian Safe Sport Program, which involves participants completing a mandatory 40-minute e-learning module and providing consent to understand their rights and obligations within the program.
The CCES emphasized that the essential requirements have not been met, leading to the suspension of Cricket Canada from the program. Both Cricket Canada and Sport Canada have been informed of this decision. Failure to comply with these foundational requirements may hinder the processing of safe sport reports involving individuals associated with these organizations, as these measures are crucial for safeguarding all participants and reinforcing the sport community’s collective responsibility in upholding safe sport standards.
As a result of the suspension, cricket players are advised to contact Cricket Canada for available options, as they no longer have access to CCES reporting channels or protections. However, if Cricket Canada fulfills the outstanding obligations, the CCES mentioned that the national sport organization will be reinstated in the Canadian Safe Sport Program, with the relevant information being made public.
At the time of reporting, Cricket Canada had not responded to requests for comments via email.