Safe Sport

UNIVERSAL CODE OF CONDUCT TO PREVENT AND ADDRESS MALTREATMENT IN SPORT (UCCMS)

The Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) is the core document that sets harmonized rules that have been adopted by Canadian National Sport Organizations and Multi-Sport Service Organizations. The goal of the UCCMS is to advance a respectful sport culture that delivers quality, inclusive, accessible, welcoming and safe sport experiences. 

The UCCMS addresses: 
⦁ common principles and a commitment to advance a respectful sport culture;
⦁ standard definitions of various forms of maltreatment, including grooming, neglect, and physical, sexual, and psychological maltreatment; 
⦁ a list of other prohibited behavior such as retaliation, failure to report maltreatment, intentionally filing false allegations, misuse of power, etc.; and 
⦁ a framework for determining appropriate sanctions against such prohibited behavior.

The UCCMS is administered at the National Level by Abuse-Free Sport, a program created by the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC) according to the mandate it received from the Government of Canada, for preventing and addressing maltreatment in sport. SDRCC is a non-for-profit organization created under the Physical Activity and Sport Act (S.C. 2003, c.2). 

The Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC) is a functionally independent division of the SDRCC and is responsible to administer the UCCMS and relevant aspects of Abuse-Free Sport.

On February 23, 2023, Biathlon Canada formally adopted the UCCMS and joined the Abuse-Free Sport program. As such, complaints regarding alleged violations to the UCCMS by Biathlon Canada’s UCCMS participants should be reported via the OSIC's reporting page.

CANADIAN SPORT HELPLINE

The Canadian Sport Helpline is an anonymous, national toll-free helpline offering assistance to victims or witnesses of harassment, abuse or discrimination. The helpline will provide you with advice, guidance and resources on how to proceed/intervene appropriately in the circumstances.

INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY

Biathlon Canada has named Laurie Ehrman as its Independent Third Party Safe Sport Officer. This individual will guide you through the complaints process and/or explore other options where appropriate. This Independent Officer is empowered to supersede Biathlon Canada staff and launch appropriate policies as required based on evidence or a situation reported. Your contact with the Independent Third Party is confidential, subject to certain legal limits.

The existence of this Independent Third-Party does not prevent individuals from contacting Biathlon Canada directly with complaints if they are comfortable with the process.

You may contact Laurie Ehrman directly.

SAFE SPORT POLICIES

SAFE SPORT TRAINING

Biathlon Canada recommends all of the following Safe Sport training options but encourages all members to consult their Provincial/Territorial Sport Organization (PTSO/Division) and their Provincial/Territorial Coaching Representatives (PTCR) to determine exactly which training is required for coaches within their jurisdiction.

This Safe Sport Training eLearning Module is developed by the Coaching Association of Canada to give you the tools to recognize, prevent and address maltreatment in sport. The 90-minute free eLearning module is available in English and French, works across all platforms and devices, meets accessibility guidelines and is available now in the Locker. Certified coaches will also earn Professional Development points upon completing it.

SUMMARY OF DISCIPLINE AND COMPLIANTS DECISIONS

Linked below is a list of individuals who have been suspended, expelled or have had their participation in Biathlon Canada activities otherwise restricted under Biathlon Canada’s Discipline and Complaints Policy or through the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC). This list includes members who have been sanctioned and are currently ineligible to be involved in sport. The list is not a historical record of current or past members who have been suspended or expelled in the past, rather it is a list of current or past members who are currently serving sanctions from membership since July, 2023. When a suspension has been served and any additional required measures have been fulfilled, the member will be removed from the list two years after the last requirement of their sanction is completed.

SPORT CONCUSSION GUIDELINES

Biathlon Canada has developed Sport Concussion Guidelines and a Concussion Policy in order to protect and manage the health and safety of all participants in the sport of biathlon in Canada, including summer and winter training and competition. This document is based on the Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport (Parachute, 2017) and the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network Sport-Related Concussion Guidelines for Canadian National and National Development High-Performance Athletes (COPSIN, 2018).