Safe Sport

Safe Sport Overview

Rugby Canada recognizes its fundamental obligation and responsibility to protect the health, safety and physical and mental well-being of every individual that is involved in the Canadian rugby community. All members have a right to participate in a safe and inclusive environment free of abuse, harassment, and discrimination. Rugby Canada is committed to enacting and enforcing strong, clear, and effective policies and processes for preventing and addressing all forms of misconduct or maltreatment.

Rugby Canada Safe Sport Goal

Our goal is to provide a safe and quality experience for current and future rugby communities across Canada.

Our Values

INTEGRITY is central to the fabric of the game and is generated through honesty and fair play.

The rugby community have a PASSION and enthusiasm for the game. Rugby generates excitement, emotional attachment and a sense of belonging to the global rugby family.

Rugby provides a spirit of SOLIDARITY that leads to life-long friendships, camaraderie, teamwork and loyalty which transcends cultural, geographic, political and religious differences.

DISCIPLINE is an integral part of the game both on and off the field and is reflected through adherence to the laws, the regulations and rugby’s core values.

RESPECT for team-mates, opponents, match officials and those involved in the game is paramount

Operational Statement

Rugby Canadas Safe Sport Framework has three key pillars: Awareness, Prevention and Response – Each pillar is supported by resources and policies. The purpose of the framework is to provide a clear guide for all members to access resources and support required to implement safe and inclusive rugby programming.  

 

Resources

• Awareness Resources
• Prevention Resources
• Response Resources

The Sport Integrity Policy Suite outlines the rules, standards of behaviour, and procedures that help ensure everyone in rugby—on and off the field—is treated fairly, respectfully, and safely. These policies cover areas like:

• Code of Conduct and Ethics
• Athlete Protection
• Safe Sport principles
• Complaints and discipline processes
• Privacy and whistleblower protections
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Concussion management
• Event conduct and sanctions

They are designed to prevent maltreatment, respond to misconduct, and promote a culture of respect and safety aligned with Rugby Canada's values: Courage. Unity. Fun. Respect. Integrity.

Who do these policies apply to?
These policies apply to all Rugby Canada Registered Participants, including:

• Athletes
• Coaches and team staff
• Officials
• Volunteers
• Parents/guardians
• Club administrators
• Rugby Canada and provincial union staff

Essentially, if you’re involved in rugby in any formal way, these policies apply to you.

When do these policies come into place?
The updated Sport Integrity Policy Suite was approved February 1, 2025. From that date forward, all rugby activities and participants across Canada must follow these standards.

SPORT INTEGRITY POLICY

Rugby Canada is committed to protecting the health, safety and physical and mental well-being of every individual that is involved in the Canadian rugby community. If a member is found to have breached any of Rugby Canada’s Safe Sport Policies, membership may be suspended or permanently withdrawn following a relevant and applicable disciplinary process. 

The following is a list of individuals who have been suspended or expelled by Rugby Canada or its provincial or territorial associations. The Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport requires this searchable database to include members who have been sanctioned and are currently ineligible to be involved in sport. The list is not a historical record of current or past members who have been suspended or expelled, it is a list of current or past members who are currently suspended or expelled from membership. When a suspension has been served and any additional probationary or educational measures have been fulfilled, the member will be removed from the list. 

LIST OF SUSPENDED AND EXPELLED MEMBERS 

Canadian Safe Sport Program

Rugby Canada has adopted the Canadian Safe Sport Program (CSSP), which is in effect as of April 1, 2025.

Through the CSSP Rules, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) independently administers the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) for federally funded, national-level sport organizations by receiving and responding to reports of prohibited behaviour, and by developing and carrying out education, prevention, and policy activities.

The CSSP Rules clearly and publicly set out how that will be done, including defined timelines at each stage of the reporting process. The CSSP also offers support services to connect participants with help along the way. 

For more information about the CSSP and the UCCMS, click here.

How to report

As of April 1, the CCES will accept reports through an online report form and by phone – both methods allow you to remain anonymous if you wish. If you choose to share your name when you make a report, the CCES will not share it with your sport organization unless it is necessary to keep you or someone else safe, and will make every effort to get your consent beforehand.

Report online: https://cces.ca/report-safe-sport

Report by phone: 1-833-858-CSSP (2777)  

Get help and information

You can contact the CSSP team with questions or for support here: https://cces.ca/contactCSSP 

Complete your e-learning

Rugby Canada will notify all designated participants who are subject to the CSSP. This includes, but is not limited to, specified athletes, board members, employees, casual staff, volunteers, and contractors, support staff, and medical staff.

Everyone who is subject to the CSSP must complete the e-learning course and sign the participant consent form. Rugby Canada will distribute an invitation that includes a link to sign up, instructions, and a code to access the course from the CCES online education portal. If you have questions about your education requirements, email education@cces.ca.

Safe Sport is a collective responsibility. By reporting concerns of maltreatment in sport, you are contributing to building a safer sport environment.

Rugby Canada's safe sport policy and code of conduct reflect and support the CSSP.