New measures to enhance safe sport

The Government of Manitoba’s Protecting Youth in Sports Act is now officially enacted. As a result, all Provincial Sport Organizations (PSOs) are now mandated to adopt Sport Manitoba’s Safe Sport Policy Manual. In compliance with the Act, our organization has formally adopted the following Sport Manitoba safe sport policies:

1) Code of Conduct and Ethics Policy;
2) Discipline and Complaints Policy;
3) Alternate Dispute Resolution Policy;
4) Appeal Policy;
5) Respect in Sport Policy; and
6) Coach Screening Policy Minimum Requirements.

These policies outline critical information for all stakeholders including, but not limited to, behaviour expectations for participants, procedures for handling complaints of maltreatment, disciplinary measures that can be imposed if someone is found to have engaged in maltreatment, and coach education and screening requirements.

These policies apply to all PSO-sanctioned clubs, teams, programs, and individuals operating under our authority. This means all clubs must comply with The Protecting Youth in Sports Act and safe sport policies.

Importantly, all allegations of maltreatment must be reported directly to an Independent Third Party (ITP) mechanism. Member clubs, teams, or individuals must not manage, assess, or investigate maltreatment complaints internally. The ITP is responsible for receiving, reviewing, and managing all allegations of maltreatment, ensuring independent, unbiased, and safe handling of each case.