Dear Members,
The Ottawa Lions Board of Directors acknowledges Athletics Canada’s recent statement (included below) regarding the resolution of the appeal before the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC) of former Board members regarding the May 5, 2019 Decision of Commissioner Frank Fowlie of the Athletics Canada Commissioner’s Office .
The Board of Directors is pleased that the mediation process allowed for a comprehensive examination of the actions taken by the former Board members and acknowledged their well-established commitment to the sport of athletics.
The Ottawa Lions Board of Directors reiterates our organization’s ongoing commitment to safe sport and good governance and will continue to work collaboratively with key partners, including Athletics Ontario and Athletics Canada, to support a safe sport environment.
Sincerely,
Nathalie Coté
President
Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club
Statement by Athletics Canada regarding the SDRCC Appeal by Former Members of the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club Board of Directors
Posted on: 06 January 2020
On December 17, 2019 Arbitrator David Bennett released his decision in the SDRCC in an appeal concerning Mr. Andy McInnis and Athletics Canada as attached, which overturned the decision of Commissioner Frank Fowlie of the Athletics Canada Commissioner’s Office released on May 5, 2019 as it relates to Mr. Andy McInnis.
Subsequently, Athletics Canada and former members of the OLTFC, namely Sean Burges, Leslie Estwick, Ryan Rowat and Corey Wingate reached a resolution of their appeal before the SDRCC, from the May 5, 2019 Decision of Commissioner Frank Fowlie of the Athletics Canada Commissioner’s Office.
The Parties affirm that the Commissioner’s Office exercised proper jurisdiction over the matter involving allegations against Mr. Andy McInnis and systemic harassment regarding the Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club.
The case brought before the SDRCC highlights the complexities in creating a safe sport environment in the current regulatory, governance and legal landscape. It provided all parties an opportunity to consider ways in which they may enhance and support safe sport and good governance while upholding the basic tenants of natural justice and procedural fairness.
The mediation process of the SDRCC has allowed presentation of a fulsome picture of the actions taken by the Board of Directors of the OLTFC with respect to the harassment complaints against Andy McInnis and the subsequent issues of sexual abuse by Ken Porter and systemic issues within the OLTFC.
Athletics Canada would like to thank them for their well-established commitment to the sport of Athletics in Ottawa and Canada. Sean Burges, Leslie Estwick, Ryan Rowat, and Corey Wingate together with Athletics Canada affirm an ongoing commitment to Safe Sport and good governance. It is through such affirmation by those involved in our sport that Athletics Canada may enhance its role as a leader and that we may all support the Safe Sport Initiative to put athletes and children in sport at the centre of everything we do from playground to podium.
Athletics Canada views ethical conduct as a cornerstone in the fair administration of the sport of athletics. Everyone participating in athletics as an athlete, coach, integrated support team, administrator, volunteer or staff member is entitled to participate in an environment that is free of harassment or discrimination.
While the SDRCC decision affirms that the Commissioner’s office exercised proper jurisdiction over the matter involving allegations against Mr. Andy McInnis, the decision and discussions with the former Board members provided critical feedback regarding the process of conducting investigations. Now that Athletics Canada has received a real time case study to review, we have engaged Sport Law & Strategy Group to review the Athletics Canada Commissioner’s Office and its terms of reference taking into consideration direction provided by Arbitrator Bennett.
Athletics Canada is an acknowledged Canadian sport system leader in developing an extensive Code of Conduct and in having the first and only independent Commissioner’s function in a National Sport Organization in Canada. Athletics Canada believes the only way sport can eliminate misconduct is when athletes, parents, volunteers and club members across the country feel it is safe to report misconduct, without fear of reprisal.
We encourage anyone in our sport who has a Safe Sport concern to look at our Safe Sport webpage at www.athletics.ca/safesport.