THE Committee on Canadian Heritage of the House of Commons on Thursday adopted an NDP motion calling for a meeting on the allegations of unequal treatment of the Canadian Women’s National Soccer Team and allegations of sexual abuse within soccer programs.
The motion was brought forward by NDP Critic for Canadian Heritage Peter Julian who said this is a much-needed meeting with the leadership of Canada Soccer to ensure safety and equity in the organization.
“It is troubling to see that, like Hockey Canada, Canada Soccer is failing its athletes and Canadians,” said Julian. “The lack of transparency, accountability, and the inequity by which the Canadian Women’s Soccer Team is being treated is unacceptable. Decades of Conservative and Liberal governments have allowed these problems to fester in national sports in Canada. We must put an end to it once and for all.”
He added: “I stand with Christine Sinclair and the Canadian Women’s National Soccer Team.”
The current president and CEO of Canada Soccer would be summoned to testify before the committee. The meeting is scheduled to be held in March.
Text of the motion:
“That, in relation to the study on Safe Sport in Canada, the committee schedule a meeting in March 2023 to study allegations of unequal treatment of the Canadian Women’s National Soccer Team and allegations of sexual abuse within soccer programs and to invite, and as needed , issue a summons, to the current president and CEO of Soccer Canada to testify.”