Safe Sport Obligations

Duty to Report

Protecting participants is a shared responsibility. Anyone involved in Hockey Canada programs who witnesses or suspects maltreatment must report it.

Download Duty to Report PDF

The duty to report is not optional. Failure to report known or suspected maltreatment may result in disciplinary action under Hockey Canada's Maltreatment Complaint Management Policy. When in doubt — report.

Obligations

Who Must Report?

The following individuals are required to report any known or reasonably suspected maltreatment of a participant.

Coaches & Instructors

All coaching staff, assistant coaches, skills instructors, and any individual in a coaching role within Hockey Canada programs.

Officials & Administrators

Referees, linesmen, team managers, team trainers, and administrative staff employed or engaged by Hockey Canada or its members.

Volunteers

Any volunteer working with participants in a Hockey Canada sanctioned program, including billet families and team support personnel.

Other Participants

Athletes, parents, and other participants who become aware of maltreatment are strongly encouraged to report, even where not legally mandated.

Reportable Conduct

What Must Be Reported?

Any of the following forms of maltreatment — whether witnessed directly or reasonably suspected — must be reported.

Physical Abuse

Any intentional use of force against a participant that causes or risks causing physical harm.

Sexual Abuse & Harassment

Any sexual conduct directed at a participant, including grooming behaviours, unwanted touching, or sexual comments.

Psychological Maltreatment

Verbal attacks, humiliation, threats, or other conduct that causes or risks causing psychological harm to a participant.

Neglect

Failure to provide a participant with the basic necessities of care, including adequate supervision, safety equipment, or medical attention.

Harassment & Discrimination

Conduct that demeans or marginalises a participant based on a protected ground such as race, gender, disability, or sexual orientation.

Grooming

Behaviour intended to build trust with a participant or their family in order to facilitate abuse.

Step by step

How to Make a Report

Download PDF

Report to Provincial Authorities

If a child is in immediate danger, contact your provincial child protection services or local law enforcement immediately. Download the PDF below for direct links to provincial reporting websites.

Download Provincial Authorities PDF →

Contact the ITP Directly

Submit your report to the Independent Third Party (ITP) — Sport Dispute Management Inc. — through the complaint form. The ITP receives all reports confidentially and independently of Hockey Canada.

Submit a Report →

Report to Your Provincial Member

You may report any non maltreatment behaviour, such as fee disputes, concerns regarding selection, concerns regarding tryout process, etc. directly to your local association or provincial member.

What Happens Next

If you submit a complaint to Hockey Canada's ITP, the ITP will acknowledge receipt of your report, assess it, and determine the appropriate next steps under the Hockey Canada's Maltreatment Complaint Management Policy. You will be kept informed throughout the process.