Thank you, Madam Chair.

On behalf of Sport'Aide, thank you for inviting us here today to share our vision, which is informed by our comprehensive, positive, accountable and sustainable approach.

Sport'Aide has been active in Quebec since 2018. As a leader, Sport'Aide offers initiatives that promote safe, healthy environments for Quebec athletes and other sport community stakeholders at both elite and recreational levels. We provide counselling, support and referral services to everyone who has witnessed or been a victim of physical, sexual or psychological violence. We also advise organizations in the sports, education, municipal and athletic recreation sectors. We do this by developing, perfecting and implementing education and awareness tools and activities.

Two weeks ago, as we were preparing to testify before this committee, we felt it was important to share the main conclusion we've drawn in the five years we've been promoting safe, healthy sport: our athletes' well-being has been sacrificed because of a blinding, money-driven obsession with results. Consequently, stakeholders have failed to take action and have sometimes even protected perpetrators. In short, as such incidents become more common and normalized, we see them as increasingly alarming and, frankly, discouraging.

Nevertheless, we decided to change the focus of our remarks following the recent public statement by Minister St‑Onge, which made it clear we weren't alone in being aware of and concerned about this twofold problem. The minister's desire to drive a culture change by reforming our sport system, establishing a governance code and a registry of sanctions and investing in prevention is consistent with Sport'Aide's approach.

So today we're going to focus on a few recommendations to bring about real change in Canadian sport. The magnitude of this change calls for pragmatism and collective action. We are heartened by this collective awakening and by the fact that some nations have already achieved this goal in both sport and education.

Topping the list is Norway, proof positive that well-being, enjoyment and success can indeed coexist. Launched in 1988, the Norwegian reform prioritized development and the joy of sport. It changed Norway's sport culture and turned it into the most successful nation in history at the Winter Olympic Games.

With respect to preventing violence, the issue we are discussing today, Finland has mobilized 90% of its schools to reduce violence by more than 50%.

Inspired by these successes, Sport'Aide is here today to talk about its comprehensive, positive, sustainable and accountable approach.

Our approach is comprehensive, because this societal change requires commitment on the part of all stakeholders. To achieve results, we have to set up a structure that will bring about change at all levels, from young to old and, as we say back home, from Timbit to elite. Although some measures implemented at the national level are very valid, it is difficult to align them with provincial and local bodies without getting private sport involved.

Our approach is positive, because proven approaches focus on changing beliefs, attitudes and behaviours. Approaches based solely on repression and control, like those suggested last Thursday, have major limitations. That's why Sport'Aide already promotes an approach that prioritizes developing life skills, together with partners such as the Académie de baseball du Canada in Trois-Rivières, the Institut national du sport du Québec in Montreal, and the Montreal Canadiens.

Our approach is sustainable, because our actions must be part of everyday life if they are to last. This means investing in resources whose sole responsibility is to effect this change in federations and clubs. Let's be realistic: at this point, our organizations don't have the means to facilitate this kind of process. Investing in facilities is all well and good, but the time has come to invest in the people who bring these facilities to life. Let's remember that every dollar invested in an approach that promotes life skills yields a return to society of $11.

Our approach is accountable, because results-obsessed blindness is extremely problematic when it alone guides our actions and behaviours. Although last week's announcement on governance is a step in the right direction, we need to make sure accountability is central to the values system that dictates the course of action for Canada's sport system as a whole, thereby ensuring that at least as much attention is paid to athletes' well-being as to their performance. Unfortunately, because existing measures aren't properly evaluated, too many organizations think it's fine to just check the boxes.

Fortunately, things can change. We know that getting this societal undertaking off the ground requires collective effort, genuine will, and concrete, lasting action. I'll conclude with the following six recommendations: create a committee that represents stakeholders across Canadian sport; establish a structure that ensures effective interorganizational communication; base prevention efforts on developing life skills; increase and optimize funding for sport and make it more equitable for all; scientifically assess the impact of this culture change; and conduct an independent national inquiry.

Ladies and gentlemen, the game has begun, but it is far from over. That's why I'll end with this question: What legacy do we want to leave?

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