An Open Letter to the Commission on the Future of Sport in Canada

On behalf of the Lethbridge Sport Council Board of Directors, our local sport organization membership, and Lethbridge athletes and participants in sport and active recreation, we appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the Future of Sport in Canada Commission. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and community-focused sport environment. We also share your dedication to addressing maltreatment and improving sport systems in Canada.

Avoiding a Myopic View of the Sport System

A myopic approach to the sport system focuses narrowly on elite or competitive levels while overlooking the foundational role of community sport. This perspective risks creating a fragmented system where the needs of grassroots participants—athletes, coaches, volunteers, and administrators—are undervalued, despite being the foundation of the entire sport ecosystem.

When policies, funding, and resources are concentrated at the national and provincial levels, community sport organizations are often left to operate with minimal support. This imbalance exacerbates challenges such as volunteer burnout, inconsistent governance practices, and limited access to safe, inclusive opportunities for sport participation.

To address this, we must adopt a holistic perspective that recognizes the interconnectedness of all levels of sport. National and provincial initiatives must prioritize alignment with grassroots needs, ensuring that community sport organizations are equipped to deliver quality programming, develop local talent, and foster lifelong participation in sport.

Through a watchful eye for one-time grant funding and sport hosting legacy funds, not for profit community sport organizations can become recipients of much-needed support to fuel their growth and new initiatives to benefit youth and community. Without a community sport council leading and supporting this work, community sport organizations are often at a disadvantage, operating at volunteer capacity to deliver programs while struggling to address broader organizational needs.

With the unfortunate cancellation of the 2020 Lethbridge Alberta Summer Games came a silver lining. We facilitated the distribution of the Games Legacy Fund of just over $275,000 to 32 nonprofit sport and cultural organizations in support of their initiatives in and around Lethbridge. These projects demonstrate the significant impact that targeted funding can have at the grassroots level, improving safety, accessibility, and inclusivity for all participants.

This legacy fund shifted our perspectives and inspired us to actively pursue additional funding opportunities, strengthening our role as a community sport council dedicated to supporting the growth and sustainability of community sport.

By broadening the lens through which we view the sport system, we can create an environment where all participants, regardless of their level, benefit from equitable resources and opportunities. A comprehensive approach ensures that the entire system thrives, building stronger communities and a more sustainable future for Canadian sport.

Maltreatment in Sport

The Lethbridge Sport Council recognizes the profound impact maltreatment has on individuals and communities involved in sport. While national and provincial initiatives address maltreatment, these efforts often fail to reach community sport organizations, where sport is primarily run by volunteers with limited resources and training. Moreover, when someone loses trust in sport, it affects not only that individual but can also impact future generations. Their children may grow up with the same distrust, distancing themselves from sport altogether and missing out on its many benefits.

To create safer, more inclusive environments, volunteers need accessible education, practical tools, and locally relevant processes to enforce codes of conduct and respond to issues. Tailored support at the grassroots level is essential to building trust and ensuring participant safety.

In alignment with these concerns, we applaud the recent announcement by the Alberta Sport Leadership Association of a three-year pilot project to establish a Safe and Welcoming Sport Program for Alberta, funded by the Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Branch. A key component of this initiative is an independent third-party mechanism to address complaints related to maltreatment in sport—specifically for Provincial Sport Organizations funded by the Government of Alberta.

While this is a significant step forward, it is important that all sport organizations—regardless of funding source—are included in this work. Maltreatment issues do not discriminate based on an organization’s funding structure, and volunteer-led groups often require additional support to navigate governance and safeguarding measures. By providing consistent resources and adapting best practices to meet local needs, we can ensure that every participant, across all levels of sport, has access to a truly safe and welcoming environment.

Conflicts of Interest and Systems Alignment

Conflicts of interest are a recurring challenge in community sport organizations, where limited resources and capacity often result in volunteers assuming multiple roles. This overlap can create governance issues and lead to misaligned priorities, making it difficult for organizations to operate effectively and equitably.

To address these challenges, we recommend the introduction of accessible governance tools and resources tailored to the needs of volunteer-led sport organizations building upon the Government of Alberta’s online Non-Profit Learning Centre. Simplified templates for policies, role descriptions, and decision-making processes can provide much-needed clarity and structure while reducing the administrative burden on volunteers.

In addition, mentorship programs and basic governance training are essential to help organizations align their practices with broader standards while accommodating their unique realities. One such initiative is Board Leadership Lethbridge, a collaboration of community leaders from various sectors along with the Government of Alberta Community Engagement Branch. Since 2017, this group has hosted an annual training and networking conference for board members of non-profit organizations. While this event provides invaluable opportunities for skill development, peer learning, and knowledge-sharing, it is not sport-specific. Community sport organizations require tailored governance resources and training that address the unique challenges and needs of the sport sector. Further development of sport-specific initiatives is essential to ensure these organizations are equipped to deliver safe, inclusive, and sustainable programming.

As part of our commitment to supporting community sport, we developed sportvolunteerhub.ca to help address these systemic challenges and promote volunteer engagement. The Hub serves as a centralized platform featuring:

• A Volunteer Sign-Up Portal that filters communications based on individual interests, making it easier to connect volunteers with relevant opportunities.

• A Sport Organization Hub where our members can promote their volunteer needs, fostering collaboration and resource-sharing among local groups.

• A Community Section that celebrates the incredible contributions of sport volunteers and community ambassadors, showcasing their vital role in sustaining grassroots sport.

Funding Structures

Grassroots programs often struggle with inequitable funding structures, which limit their ability to deliver accessible, impactful, and sustainable initiatives. Programs like Roving Gyms for preschool age children and their caregivers, Give It A Try events, and drop-in sport activities provide children and youth with safe, welcoming environments to explore sport, but they depend on consistent and reliable funding to thrive.

Equally important is funding for education and development opportunities aimed at sport volunteers, administrators, and parents. For instance, with the help of various funding sources, we brought Allison Forsyth to our community to speak about safe sport—a topic that is both essential and challenging. Despite the importance of the session, attendance was low, reflecting the sensitive nature of the subject and the reality that volunteers often require repeated opportunities to engage with such critical discussions. To achieve lasting impact, these sessions must be accessible locally and offered multiple times. As the saying goes in marketing: people need to hear a message in seven different ways, at seven different times, to truly absorb it. However, repeated programming increases costs, making sustainable funding even more essential.

We recommend funding models that not only prioritize participation, accessibility, and equity in grassroots programming but also provide dedicated support for education and development initiatives. Programs targeting underserved and marginalized communities are vital for creating inclusive opportunities, while education for volunteers, administrators, and parents ensures the sustainability and effectiveness of these efforts. By investing in both programming and capacity-building, funding models can help create a sport ecosystem that is not only accessible but also resilient, fostering long-term impact and community growth.

Conclusion

We recommend the following:

1. Aligning the Governance Structure of Sport in Canada

The current sport governance structure is fragmented, with policies, funding, and priorities often concentrated at national and provincial levels, leaving grassroots organizations unsupported. This disconnection creates inefficiencies and gaps in service delivery.

By aligning the governance structure, resources and policies can be utilized across all levels of sport, ensuring that community organizations are not overlooked. Practical tools, such as standardized governance templates and accessible training programs, can help local organizations implement good governance practices without overburdening volunteers. Establishing clear, streamlined pathways for communication, funding, and resource sharing will ensure that the foundational level of the sport system is supported, cohesive, and better positioned to thrive.

2. Fund Locally Through Municipal Sport Councils and Nonprofits That Prioritize Participation

Funding structures must evolve to ensure that community sport organizations—those closest to participants—receive the financial support necessary to deliver impactful and inclusive programs. Municipal sport councils are uniquely positioned to identify local needs, administer funding efficiently, and provide targeted support for grassroots organizations.

For example, our administration of the 2020 Lethbridge Alberta Summer Games Legacy Fund directly supported 32 community organizations, improving safety, accessibility, and inclusivity for thousands of participants. Programs like Roving Gyms, Give It A Try events, drop-in sport activities, and the SportVolunteerHub.ca depend on consistent, reliable funding to sustain their impact. Allocating funds directly to municipal sport councils ensures that local programs are prioritized, addressing participation barriers and meeting community needs more effectively.

3. Invest in Education and Development for Volunteers and Administrators

Grassroots sport depends on volunteers who often lack the resources or training necessary for safe, inclusive, and well-run programs. Local, recurring, and accessible education is crucial—especially for sensitive topics, as shown by the safe sport session with Allison Forsyth.

While initiatives like Board Leadership Lethbridge offer valuable learning opportunities, more sport-specific training is needed to address unique governance challenges. As part of our commitment, we developed sportvolunteerhub.ca to connect volunteers, support local organizations, and celebrate the contributions of sport volunteers and ambassadors.

By funding both program delivery and capacity-building, Sport Canada can help grassroots organizations foster sustainable volunteer networks and create welcoming environments for all participants, ensuring the long-term viability of Canada’s sport ecosystem.

The Lethbridge Sport Council is committed to fostering a sport system that prioritizes safety, inclusion, and quality programming. We look forward to contributing further insights and collaborating with Sport Canada to shape the future of sport in Canada.

The Lethbridge Sport Council proudly contributed to the Future of Sport in Canada Commission, advocating for a safe, inclusive, and community-focused sport system. Here’s a quick look at our key recommendations:

1️⃣ Align Sport Governance: Bridge gaps between national, provincial, and grassroots levels with streamlined policies, accessible governance tools, and efficient communication.

2️⃣ Fund Locally: Empower municipal sport councils and nonprofits to deliver impactful, inclusive programs by prioritizing funding at the community level.

3️⃣ Invest in Volunteer Education: Support volunteers and administrators with accessible, recurring, and locally relevant training to ensure safe and sustainable grassroots programming.

Why It Matters: A thriving sport system depends on a holistic approach where grassroots organizations receive the tools, resources, and funding needed to build stronger communities and foster lifelong participation in sport.