Safe Sport & Concussions

Manitoba Paddling Association's Safe Sport & Athlete Protection Information

Creating a Safe Sport environment is a shared responsibility, requiring enhanced awareness, prevention strategies, and clear actions for reporting and support. This page provides the resources and guidance you need to ensure a Safe Sport community.

We openly and proudly commit all Manitoba Paddling Association clubs to Sport Manitoba's Safe Sport, Keeping Kids Safe and Coaching Association of Canada principles, goals, and policies.

Contact safesport@sportmanitoba.ca with any inquiries about their Awareness, Prevention & Action pillars. 

  • Safe sport refers to creating and maintaining a welcoming environment where everyone feels physically safe, emotionally supported, and treated with respect. It reflects our commitment to providing positive experiences for all participants, while actively preventing and addressing all forms of Maltreatment, including abuse, harassment, neglect, or discrimination.

    For more information, please refer to the following guides and resources.

  • Effective April 1, 2026, in Manitoba, the Protecting Youth in Sports Act (PYSA) enhances and strengthens safety measures for athletes, 21 years of age or younger. All Provincial Sport Organizations, including Manitoba Paddling Association, are required to follow the standards set out in this legislation. Read the act in full here.

    • Adopt the policies outlined in the Safe Sport Policy Manual.

    • Make safe sport information available to parents and athletes.

    • Ensure coaches complete required screening and training.

    • Ensure all participants have access to report allegations of maltreatment to an Independent Third Party (ITP).

    • Refer any allegations of maltreatment to the ITP if our organization receives such complaints.

    • Enforce and disciplinary action determined by the ITP.

  • ITP Sport is responsible for overseeing all allegations of maltreatment. If you would like to submit a maltreatment complaint, please submit your complaint to ITP Sport here.

    To help you understand Maltreatment and navigate the reporting process please refer to the following resources.

    If a Maltreatment Complaint is submitted to a coach, official, volunteer, or staff member, the complaint must be referred to the ITP.

  • All Non-Maltreatment complaints are to be submitted directly to mpa@sportmanitoba.ca. MPA’s current Dispute Resolution Policy is in effect for these types of complaints.