Safe Sport
Skate Canada places the highest priority on a safe and fun learning environment for all of its participants.
Several programs are planned for roll-out in the coming years based on Skate Canada’s Safe Sport Framework. These programs will facilitate best-in-class safety initiatives. It is Skate Canada’s goal and commitment to be the leading Safe Sport organization in Canada and the World.

The Skate Canada Concussion Ed App is available for free in English and French through the App Store, Google Play and available via a web-based version for Blackberry and Window users.
Skate Canada’s goal is to build awareness and influence behaviour through education, policies, and return to play protocols.
Helmet Use Policy – Information for Clubs, Coaches and Parents
Pre-Season Concussion Education Resource
Pre-Season Concussion Education Resource Acknowledgement Sheet
In addition to responding to all complaints, the Safe Sport Department will introduce best in class education and training programs to different groups of stakeholders including, skaters, parents, officials, coaches, administrators, and volunteers. This education is a key component of Skate Canada’s harassment, bullying, and abuse prevention program, providing participants with information necessary to more effectively monitor the activities in sections, clubs and skating schools thereby minimizing the occurrence of such behaviour.
Membership Complaints, Investigation and Hearing Procedures
Membership Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Policy
Respect in Sport Parent Program
Respect in Sport – Activity Leader program
Skate Canada Code of Ethics Policy
List of Individuals Suspended or Expelled from Skate Canada
RESPECT RESOURCE LINE – AVAILABLE 365 DAYS PER YEAR
Provides bilingual response to calls or emails 365 days a year by expert staff who will guide you to the necessary resources pertaining to;
- child and youth maltreatment
- bullying
- hazing
- national/provincial child and youth protection laws
- organization-specific risk management and dispute resolution model
The nation-wide, toll-free, Respect Resource Line will be made available to all Coaches and Activity Leaders who have been trained in the Respect in Sport Activity Leader program
CONFIDENTIAL ANONYMOUS
Individuals who access the Respect Resource Line are not required to disclose their identities. In the event you are faced with a situation involving maltreatment and are unsure how to proceed, the Respect Resource Line is available 365 days per year to assist. This line is not for technical support, but offers a connection to resources to help deal with your situation.
TOLL FREE: 1-888-329-4009
TEXT: 1-306-717-9636
Skate Canada supports a safe, open, and inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, Indigeneity, religion, class, size, ability, gender identity, gender expression, and sexuality. We are committed to providing strong and positive leadership that models fair and respectful behaviour.
Skate Canada is currently developing a comprehensive course that will provide a full overview of the ERM framework and step-by-step instructions on how to complete the risk register. Tools, templates and additional resources will be available as well as opportunities for individual or group consultation.

Recommendations for Rule of Two practices:
- Ensure a Skate Canada coach in good standing is never alone and out of sight with a participant without another Skate Canada coach in good standing or screened adult (parent/guardian or volunteer) present.
- Allow the in-person training environment to be open to observation.
- Ensure a participant rides in a coach’s vehicle with another adult present.
- Consider the gender of the participant(s) when selecting the Skate Canada in good standing coaches and screened volunteers present.
- Eliminate one-to-one electronic messaging. Ensure that all communications are sent to the group and/or include parents/guardians.
Recommendations for Rule of Two practices in a Virtual Setting:
- The Rule of Two should continue to apply to all minor athletes in the virtual environment during the COVID-19 pandemic (additionally, for those athletes under age 16, a parent or guardian should be present during the session where possible).
- We recommend applying the Rule of Two to non-minor athletes, as well, in the current circumstances.
- For every session, the Rule of Two would require two Skate Canada coaches in good standing be present and logged-in individually in the virtual classroom, or one Skate Canada coach in good standing and one screened adult (parent, guardian, volunteer, club administrator) in which both are logged-in the virtual classroom – one-on-one sessions is prohibited.
- A clear statement of professional standards expected of the coach during calls should be communicated – (i.e., sessions are not social engagements, and should be focused on training/coaching/supporting the development of athletes both physically and mentally).
- Parents/guardians should be fully informed beforehand about the activities undertaken during the sessions, as well as the process of the virtual session.
- Parents/guardians should be required to consent to virtual sessions prior to each session, if irregularly scheduled, or prior to the first session if there is a series of regularly scheduled sessions.
- Communication during each session should be in an open and observable environment (i.e., avoid bedrooms) in the athlete’s home (athlete’s parents’/guardians’ home), and the coach must initiate the session from an appropriate location (i.e., avoid bedrooms or “overly personal”/unprofessional settings).
- Recordings are not for public dissemination and should not be posted to public websites or shared with others. The recording of a virtual session should be archived and only be used as a reference if required.
- Prohibit one-on-one texting, emailing or online contact between coach and athlete – any texting, emailing or online contact should be limited to group text/email that includes at least two adults (two coaches or one coach and one adult (parent, guardian, volunteer, club administrator), and limited to coaching (non-social) matters, and parents of minor athletes should be provided the opportunity to receive these texts/emails.
- Social media contact by coach to athlete should be prohibited (including the sharing of memes, non-training video, etc.).
- Encourage parents/guardians to debrief with Under 16 athletes about virtual training on a weekly basis.
In addition, care should also be taken to ensure that appropriate security settings have been set for virtual, videoconferencing arrangements, including password protected videoconference invitations.
Quick Links
Membership Complaints Policy
Membership Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination Policy
Membership Complaints, Investigation and Hearing Procedures
Helmet Use Policy – Information for clubs, schools, coaches and parents
Incident Report Form
Guide to Anti-Doping
Skate Canada is proud to support the True Sport movement and the principles of True Sport.
Safe Sport Contact Info
[email protected]
1-888-747-2372 ext: 703
*Urgent Safe Sport Reporting (Harassment and Abuse)
1-833-723-3758
*Calls to this number will be reviewed by a third party independent of Skate Canada.
