COC states support for national safe-sport inquiry as national fencing execs grilled in Ottawa

Canadian Fencing Federation executives were the latest sport leaders called on the carpet by a parliamentary committee to answer for its safe sport record, while the Canadian Olympic Committee's chief executive officer stated his support for a national inquiry.

Members of Parliament grilled CFF president Yann Bernard in Ottawa on Thursday because some athletes have alleged a longstanding toxic, bullying and abusive environment.

COC chief executive officer David Shoemaker was also among witnesses questioned by MPs.

He joined a chorus of voices from the sports community in supporting a national inquiry into safe sport.

"I deeply believe that sport, when done right, is an incredible force for good," Shoemaker said Thursday. "An unsafe sport system is an unacceptable sports system.

"I do think that an inquiry that hears survivors and is trauma-informed should happen. I'm glad Minister St-Onge has committed to one."

The recent avalanche of athlete complaints about maltreatment and abuse, including sexual abuse, in their sports has thrown Canadian high-performance sport into turmoil.

Tearful athletes across several sports have testified at both Heritage and Status of Women committee hearings about the abuse and harassment they experienced from coaches and other team personnel, how those in power turned a blind eye to it, and their fear of repercussions if they complained.

The fencing federation follows Hockey Canada, Canada Soccer and Gymnastics Canada, which have been questioned by MPs in recent months about personnel and financial decisions and also how they handle misconduct.

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Former fencer Emily Mason of Vancouver told committee MPs on April 24 that she was a "broken individual" when she left the sport at age 17.

"Again and again, we have also heard that survivors are afraid," Mason said during her April testimony.

"They are afraid that if they come forward they will face not only personal retribution from their abusers but also the risk of losing their national team spots.

"This is because under the current CFF selection policy, national members may be chosen by majority vote of CFF officials and staff rather than by results or official rankings."