The Future of Sport in Canada: We must do better!
by Taunya Wideman-Johnston
Sport mandates across Canada share the impetus of creating safe, inclusive, and equitable spaces for children and youth to learn and yet, our children and youth are not experiencing safe, inclusive, and equitable learning environments!
On March 24, 2026, The Future of Sport in Canada Commission, led by Justice Lise Maisonneuve, brought forward 98 calls for action to support much needed changes in sport. The main message–we must do better!
At the centre of this is the need to challenge and question the environments in which children and young people are experiencing their chosen sport. As the report clearly identified these spaces are not safe, inclusive or equitable!
The Future of Sport in Canada states:
Yet, beneath the surface of this proud sporting tradition, serious failures have occurred — especially in the ways we protect our children and youth. Sport should be a place of joy, growth, community, and belonging. But for far too many Canadians, especially young athletes, sport has been an environment marked by abuse and insecurity, where they have not been adequately protected and where no one has been held accountable. (2026, p. 24).
Throughout Canada and across all sports, we have created a culture of silence. Maltreatment and abuse are a daily reality for many who participate in sports. Instead of protecting our children and youth we are harming them.
The Future of Sport in Canada reiterates that:
A long-standing culture of silence further reinforces harmful behaviour. Victims, survivors, and witnesses frequently described a fear of retaliation, loss of opportunities, exclusion, or reputational harm if they spoke out. Some were discouraged from raising concerns. Others saw their attempts to disclose harm dismissed or minimized. Parents, medical professionals, and support staff also described feeling unable to intervene because they feared losing their positions. This silence allows harmful conduct to persist and remain unchecked. (2026, p. 35)
The Future of Sport in Canada speaks to the beliefs that harm and maltreatment have become accepted practices in sports.
Harmful practices are also normalized by the belief that sport is exempt from the standards that apply in schools, workplaces, or other community settings. This concept, often referred to as sport exceptionalism, fosters sport environments where behaviours that would be unacceptable elsewhere are tolerated or even encouraged. It also encourages the belief that suffering, humiliation, or extreme discipline are necessary for performance. (2026, p. 38)
This culture of harm must be stopped. To do better in sports we want to reimagine what sport can be for children and youth by incorporating their voices into a discussion about making these spaces - what they should be - safe, inclusive and equitable!
Reimagining Sport for Children & Youth
At Learning Allowed, we recognise the lifelong learning that occurs when we participate in sports. When we engage in sports we experience joy, pride, growth, wellness, and belonging. By participating in sports we are learning about ourselves, the community, and the broader world around us.
However, we also realise that if we are to create the spaces where this can happen then we must collectively acknowledge the critical value of children’s voices. Inclusion is integral to children’s growth and development wherever they are: at home, at school, in organised sports, or in the community - this starts by allowing them to join the conversation. We are invested in giving children a voice to share what sport means to them adding to a wider conversation about how we can transform the learning experiences sport provides for young athletes, their families, and athletic leaders.
Where to next
If you participated in sports, are a parent, educator, community leader, spectator, or have volunteered in sports with children and youth, our guess is what we have shared with you is not new and you have been likely nodding your head as you read. You probably have heard stories, or possibly, had experiences yourself.
You will also know that cultivating healthy children and youth in sport fosters the wellbeing of our communities. We have a shared responsibility to invest in the health of our children and youth. The benefits of children and youth in sports extend beyond the health benefits of the individual, and contribute to the community as a whole (from social development to economic growth). It is time to act!
Join the Conversation
If you are a coach or facilitator in sport and have a group of children or young people who are passionate about making a difference - then register to be part of a ‘team’ ready to use its voice to make sport in Canada an experience where all children and young people can thrive.
Not from Canada? We want to learn from you too - connect to the Change Maker pathway below.
To start the conversation we are inviting you to
Join our Learn 2050 Change Makers Community and our ‘Summit’ on 18th November 2026.
Team up with other sports groups from Canada - creating a Canadian Change Maker in Sports Team.
Contribute your thoughts and ideas to a wider discussion around positive change.
Network with groups from around the world with different backgrounds and perspectives.
Set goals for extending conversations about sport in Canada and beyond!
This effort forms part of our wider LEARN 2050 movement - a global initiative 🌎 to unlock 🔐 our capabilities to adapt and thrive – today and tomorrow 💫 🙌🏼.
➡️ ✴️ Join our LEARN 2050 Change Makers - today.
[Article reference]
Transforming Sport in Canada: Time for Action from Future of Sport in Canada Commission Final Report
