Committed to change in the BC amateur sport system
May 28, 2026
May 28, 2026, Vancouver – viaSport BC has reviewed the Future of Sport in Canada Commission Final Report. We strongly support the vision for a safer, more accountable, and more athlete-centered sport system.
We appreciate the athletes, participants, families, sport leaders, and organizations who have come forward to share their experiences. viaSport recognizes that real change requires a fundamental shift in the sport system. viaSport is committed to that shift in British Columbia, building on existing work and challenging ourselves and our Designated Sport Organizations to think and do things differently.
We understand the need for both change and unified action as outlined in the Final Report. Successfully realizing our collective vision of safe, welcoming, and fun sport experiences for all British Columbians requires us to act with intention and conviction. As an organization that plays a lead role in the development of the amateur sport system in our province, we are committed to the following:
- Advancing Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility to increase sport participation among equity-deserving groups [consistent with calls to action 10 & 12] by: Incorporating actions to advance equity, inclusion, and accessibility in sport within our strategy and operational plans, and; providing support and making resources available to break down access barriers.
- Advancing Background Screening policies and procedures to create and maintain safer sport and work environments [consistent with calls to action 36-38] by: Designing and implementing a safer recruitment standard in collaboration with sport organizations and subject matter experts that can be implemented consistently at the local/club level.
- Establishing shared services models to decrease costs and increase effectiveness [consistent with calls to action 60-62] by: Coordinating opportunities for sport organizations to benefit from shared services and preferred private sector partnerships for key business functions.
- Diversifying revenue streams by attracting corporate and philanthropic funds [consistent with call to action 90] by: Providing direct support to provincial sport organizations seeking corporate partnerships.
- Ensuring governance standards and practices [consistent with calls to action 73-77] by: Working to integrate the Canadian Sport Governance Code into the viaSport Designation Program Policy and to ensure good governance practices reviews are included in our periodic evaluation process
We equally stand ready to enhance strategic alignment and collaboration across the sport sector. We will do our part to ensure that sport in Canada becomes “safer, more inclusive and accessible, more efficient, more aligned in purposes and practice, better integrated and more accountable to those it serves.” The report challenges all of us to go further.
Our focus now is on translating those insights into action in BC.
