BC Sport Complaints Guidance Tool

This tool is desgined to give the user guidance on where and how they can make a complaint in BC. This is not a reporting tool.

Self-serve tool to find out what to do in case you have a sport complaint

This tool is designed to help you figure out where to raise a concern or file a complaint about an incident that took place in a sport environment in British Columbia. It will ask you a series of questions to help guide you through your options. No data will be collected, and no personal information will be gathered.

This is NOT a reporting tool, this is a navigator to help you find the right reporting process for your situation.

We recognize that emotional support is also important, so we encourage you to reach out for whatever care you need, including mental wellness support. You can call 2-1-1 or search 211.ca to find support services or helplines near you.

Disclaimer

The guidance below is intended as a quick reference and is not meant to be exhaustive. IT DOES NOT, AND IS NOT INTENDED TO, CONSTITUTE OR PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE. Users are strongly encouraged to consult with any or all of child welfare, law enforcement and legal counsel as appropriate to a given situation. You should seek legal advice before acting in a way that may create or result in liability. We cannot guarantee that all information is always accurate or complete.

BC Sport Complaints Wizard

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Is the situation an emergency?

If there is an emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately

If you are concerned about the safety or well‑being of a child:

Call 911 or local police to intervene if a child is in immediate danger.
If you think a child or youth under 19 years of age is being abused or neglected in British Columbia, phone 1-800-663-9122 at any time of the day or night.

If it is a crisis situation but no crime has been committed and emergency medical services are not required:

Canadian Suicide Crisis Helpline: Text or call 9-8-8
Kids Help Phone: Call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868
Looking for a crisis resource near you? Local Resources & Support

Do you want information about how to raise a concern or file a formal complaint?

How to raise a concern
How to file a formal complaint
I’m not sure

How to Raise a Concern (“Report”)

Use the Flag Tool: The Flag Tool can help you determine appropriate next steps for your situation.
Identify the Right Person: Find out who is the best person to speak to about your concern.
Request a Conversation: Politely let them know you’d like to discuss a concern.
Prefer In-Person or Phone Conversations: These methods are often more effective than email for discussing sensitive topics.
Prepare for the Discussion: Review our How-to Guide on Difficult Conversations to plan your approach.
Think About Your Goals: Consider your main goals and possible solutions. For more guidance, see our worksheet on handling disagreements.
Bring Support: If helpful, bring someone with you for support during the conversation.

How to File a Formal Complaint

Document: Gather information about what happened and who else may have seen it.
Identify: Check the website of the organization (club, team, league, or other) to see how to file your complaint, according to their formal complaint procedures.
Complete the Intake Process: Follow the intake procedure, which may involve filling in specific forms and submitting them to a designated person, committee, or third party. Be clear and concise in your written complaint, detailing the incident and the desired outcome.
Follow Up: After making the complaint, check in with the organization to understand the next steps. Keep communication open and ask about timelines.
Seek Support: Reach out for support from trusted individuals such as friends, family, or mental health professionals. You can find support close to you at https://211.ca/

What is the difference between raising a concern versus filing a complaint

A key feature of psychologically safe spaces is that people feel encouraged to voice any concerns they have. When you or your family members join a team, club, or activity, ask how concerns should be raised and who to approach. Speaking up is an important part of creating a better, safer environment for everyone.

Reporting

Definition: A report is simply informing someone within the organization about a concerning behaviour or incident. This can be done informally and does not initiate a formal dispute resolution process.

When to Report:

If you witness behaviour that raises concerns but does not require immediate action.
- If you believe a situation could escalate if not addressed.
- If you want to raise awareness without necessarily seeking formal action.

Filing a Complaint

Definition: A complaint is a formal request for action regarding a specific incident or behaviour. Filing a complaint typically triggers an official dispute resolution process.

When to File a Complaint:

If the behaviour is serious, persistent, or harmful.
- If you have already reported the behaviour and feel it was not addressed adequately.
- If you believe your rights, safety, or well-being have been violated.

Tell us more about your complaint type so we can provide better guidance. Information will appear below the selections you make. Please ensure you scroll to the bottom of the screen.

What type of complaint would you like guidance for?

A Code of Conduct breach
A sport organization not following its policy or bylaws
A crime was committed in a sport environment
A human rights violation occurred in a sport environment
A WorkSafe violation occured for an employee of a sport organization
Suspected child abuse or neglect of a child or youth in sport
An incorrect official’s decision during a competition
Doping or competition manipulation

Why do we want to know this? To help guide you to the right place to file your complaint.

Provide more information about where the incident happened

Club or local sport organization
Provincial team
National team
Elementary or high school
University Sport
Private club, academy, or company
Recreation Centre

Report to the police if the behaviour may be criminal. If it’s not an emergency, call the non-emergency line for the police detachment where the incident allegedly occurred.

Report to child protection services, if necessary. You MUST report if you suspect a person who is a minor has been or is likely to be abused or neglected and their parent or legal guardian is unwilling or unable to protect them.

If a child is in immediate danger, call the police to intervene. They should arrange for a child protection social worker to be contacted to determine whether the child needs protection.
Understand your legal duty to report within your Province or Territory.
To make a report, call the number for your Province or Territory listed here.

If you believe an official’s decision during a competition was in error, follow the Protest Policy for the event to submit your complaint.

If there is not a specific policy for that event, check with the event organizer or the Provincial Sport Organization to find out how to file a protest.

If you are concerned that a sport organization is not following its own bylaws, policies, or procedures, you could:

Request a facilitated discussion with the Executive Director/CEO and the Chair/President of the Board of Directors to resolve the concern;
Contact the Provincial Sport Organization if you have concerns about a club or local organization;
Contact the affiliated National Sport Organization if you have concerns about the Provincial Sport Organization

If you are concerned about a potential violation of human rights, you can contact the BC Human Rights Tribunal.

For more information including how to file a complaint, click here.

If you believe a WorkSafe prohibited action occurred, you can file a complaint with WorkSafe BC.

For more information including how to submit a complaint, click here.

CCES Integrity Hotline

Protecting clean and fair sport is a collective responsibility. The CCES Integrity Hotline provides Canadians with a secure and anonymous means to report suspected doping and competition manipulation, both of which are major threats to good sport.

Coming forward with sensitive information is a big decision, and we appreciate your courage to raise concerns about doping and/or competition manipulation. You can send information or evidence to the CCES Integrity Hotline, powered by RealResponse:

Text 1-888-441-CCES (2237)
Call 1-888-441-CCES (2237)
WhatsApp 1-888-441-CCES (2237)
Email integrity@cces.realresponse.com

To ensure your anonymity, consider whether your email signature will be visible to the recipient.

If you are part of a national team, national sport organization, or national multisport organization, your complaint may be eligible for the Canadian Safe Sport Program.

This service is run by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES). More information can be found here.

Complaints can be submitted online or by phone. For the link and/or phone number, visit the REPORT Safe Sport webpage.

For high school sports, check to see if your school and sport are part of BC School Sports. If it is, you can request a Code of Ethics Complaint Form from info@bcschoolsports.ca

For elementary and high school sports that aren’t part of BC School Sports, visit the school website to find the contact information for the Principal or Vice Principal and report your concern to them.