The Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) is the
core document that sets harmonized rules that have been adopted by Canadian National Sport Organizations and Multi-Sport Service Organizations. The goal of the UCCMS is to advance a respectful sport culture that delivers quality, inclusive, accessible, welcoming and safe sport experiences.
The UCCMS addresses:
The UCCMS is administered at the National Level by Abuse-Free Sport, a program created by the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC) according to the mandate it received from the Government of Canada, for preventing and addressing maltreatment in sport. SDRCC is a non-for- profit organization created under the Physical Activity and Sport Act (S.C. 2003, c.2).
The Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC) is a functionally independent division of the SDRCC and is responsible to administer the UCCMS and relevant aspects of Abuse-Free Sport.
As of March 1, 2023, Canada Soccer formally adopted the UCCMS and joined the Abuse-Free Sport program. As such, complaints regarding alleged violations to the UCCMS for those participants that fall under the Canada Soccer Code of Conduct and Ethics should be reported via OSIC’s reporting page https://osic-bcis.i-sight.com/portal *Note to reader: this report link/button is expected to be updated in 2023. More information will be provided to
Signatories directly by Abuse-Free Sport as and when available.
Additional Safe Sport Resources:
The Canada Soccer Safe Sport Roster is a progressive package of programs, policies, and procedures designed to ensure that all organisations that offer soccer programming in Canada create safe, fun, and welcoming experiences for all participants.
Canada Soccer, as the governing body for sport, provides periodic updates to the requirements of member organisation clubs in support of its Safe Sport Roster. For amateur soccer organisations in Canada, the expansion of the Canada Soccer Youth Club Licensing Program as a requirement of membership has been implemented as a direct result of the unanimous adoption of the Canada Soccer Safe Sport Roster at the 2019 Annual Meeting of the Members.
Ahead of the start of the 2023 soccer season, all member organisations that offer soccer programing in a Canada Soccer Member Association Province and Territory will be required to meet the minimum standards of the Quality Soccer Provider level of the Canada Soccer Youth Club Licensing Program is support of the guiding principles of the Safe Sport Roster.
Canada Soccer Code of Conduct and Ethics
All who participate in sanctioned soccer from grassroots through professional and National Teams play shall abide by the Canada Soccer Code of Conduct and Ethics. Any violation of the code should be reported to discipline@canadasoccer.com
Canada Soccer Disciplinary Code
The Canada Soccer Disciplinary Code specifies the organisation, procedures, and functions of the Judicial Bodies of Canada Soccer. The Code defines disciplinary measures or sanctions that may be imposed upon those found to have breached the Canada Soccer Code of Conduct and Ethics, Canada Soccer Rules & Regulations, relevant anti-doping policies and regulations, or Canada Soccer competition regulations.
To file a submission of concern in accordance with the Canada Soccer Whistleblower Policy,
contact the Canadian Sport Helpline at 1-888-837-7678.
The Canadian Sport Helpline is a free, anonymous, confidential and independent service in both official languages. They can be reached by phone, text or via email (info@abuse-free-sport.ca); or
File a Complaint or Report to the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC) by submitting a secure, interactive online intake form at https://osic-bcis.i-sight.com/portal.
All submissions should include contact information in the event an investigation takes place and additional information is necessary.
Canada Soccer Club Licensing Program
Launched in July 2017 with the granting of Canada Soccer Professional Club Licences to Canada’s five professional clubs at the time, the Canada Soccer Club Licensing Program expanded to include amateur football in 2018 with the addition of the Canada Soccer National Youth Club Licence, Member Association Levels 2 & 1, and Quality Soccer Provider designations.
Developed in consultation with the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, the youth component of the Club Licensing Program established standards to ensure a quality experience for every amateur athlete who registers with Canada Soccer. Two of the fundamental principles that underpin the program are devoted to Safe Sport:
In support of the principles of the Safe Sport Roster, Canada Soccer’s Youth Club Licensing Program includes a collection of resources including a comprehensive Guide to Safety and Guide to Accessibility and Inclusion. As well, the Canada Soccer Grassroots Standards were designed to create the best possible learning and development environment for all young players in Canada.
National Soccer Registry
Canada Soccer’s National Soccer Registry project is designed to provide a unified system to track the attraction, retention, progression, and transition of players, coaches, referees, administrators, and volunteers in the game from grassroots through high performance in support of the Safe Sport Roster
Coach Education, Certification, and Registration
Canada Soccer has updated its Rules and Regulations to include Regulations for the Registration and Control of Coaches in support of the Safe Sport Roster. In addition, as part of the requirements of the system-wide adoption of the Youth Club Licensing Program coaches will be required to complete the following:
In addition, member organisations will be required to ensure that all team staff adopt the requirements of the Responsible Coaching Movement:
Canada Soccer Medical Committee
The Canada Soccer Medical Committee is responsible for providing guidance on injury prevention and treatment. Recent advances have included Canada Soccer’s implementation of gold standard concussion protocols to prevent head injuries and to manage them effectively when they do occur.