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.

Sports are a great way for children and youth to get exercise, make friends, and learn important life lessons. However, 40% of head injuries in children aged 10 to 14 occur during sport. Concussion is an invisible brain injury that cannot be seen by an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan. Coaches, teachers, parents, teammates and medical professionals cannot diagnose concussed players just by looking at them.

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

Skate Canada Concussion Protocol

Medical Assessment Letter

Medical Clearance Letter

Skate Canada Concussion Pathway

Skate Canada considers harassment, bullying, and abuse a very serious matter and responds to all complaints. Following the Complaint and Investigation procedures, we ensure the provision of a fair and reasonable process for handling complaints within a timely manner. In addition, a National Review Board has been appointed to consider appropriate cases. Members of this Board have expert knowledge of Skate Canada’s Bylaws, Policies and Procedures and extensive experience in alternate dispute resolution and sports-related issues.

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

Membership Complaints 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

[email protected]

Although Skate Canada currently conducts background checks on all of its coaches, this initiative will expand the nature and breadth of screening to others in positions of authority. This initiative will introduce screening tools such as interview guidelines, child and youth safety training, reference checks, and the mandatory requirement to review and sign the code of conduct.

BackCheck Instructions – Online Criminal Record Check

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.

Trans Inclusion Policy

Resources on Sex Gender Sexuality

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) is the custodian of the Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP); the set of rules that govern anti-doping in Canada. The CADP consists of several components such as in and out-of-competition testing, education, medical exemptions, and the consequences of doping violations. The CADP is designed to protect athletes’ rights and ensure a level playing field. It is compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code and all international standards. Skate Canada has adopted the CADP and you can be confident that you are part of a world-class anti-doping program. It is our goal to ensure all of our athletes are trained, protected and treated fairly.

Guide To Anti-Doping

Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) is a strategic business discipline that supports the achievement of an organization’s objectives by addressing the full spectrum of its risks and managing the combined impact of those risks as an interrelated risk portfolio. It provides a structured process for the management of all risks, whether those risks are primarily quantitative or qualitative in nature.

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.

Skate Canada is committed to providing its registrants and members with the best insurance policies with the most competitive premiums. The Safe Sport Department is continuously working with brokers and underwriters to achieve this goal. Through this initiative, we continue to improve our insurance policies and introduce new coverages.

Insurance and Safe Sport FAQ

Incident Report Form

Accident Insurance Claim Form (Registrants)

Accident Insurance Claim Form (Coaches)

The Responsible Coaching Movement is a multi-phase system-wide movement, coordinated by the Coaching Association of Canada and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport. This movement will affect all sport organizations and coaches. Phase 1 of this initiative addresses the relationship between the coach and the athlete to ensure that athletes, especially minor athletes, are not subject to unethical behaviour by coaches. Skate Canada is one of the leaders in helping to develop the standards for responsible coaching.

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.

Please click here to access Skate Canada’s Social Media Policy. Any questions regarding Skate Canada’s social media platforms or policies can be directed to [email protected].