The Sport Dispute Resolution Center of Canada (SDRCC) announced Tuesday that the former athlete will serve as Canada’s first sports integrity commissioner and head the office that will receive complaints about alleged incidents of abuse to the child in sport.

This office will also initiate independent investigations and recommend sanctions against those convicted of an offense.

Former member of the Canadian artistic swimming team, member of the Barreau du Québec and accredited civil mediator, Sarah-Ève Pelletier previously worked for the Canadian Olympic Committee.

There is no room for any kind of abuse in the sport, Sarah-Ève Pelletier said in a statement. Through concerted efforts from all sides, using a human-centered approach, we can make the sport safe and enjoyable for everyone.

The appointment comes after many athletes across the country called for more action to end abuse and harassment in the sport.

More than 300 active and retired gymnastics athletes have notably signed an open letter to Sport Canada calling for an independent investigation into the toxic culture they have observed in their sport.

A similar letter signed by more than 90 athletes called for the resignation of two senior Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton executives.

Sports Minister Pascale St-Onge announced last week the upcoming implementation of a new mechanism for reporting sport maltreatment.

On Tuesday, Ms. St-Onge that the appointment of Sarah-Ève Pelletier constitutes a important step Going to a Canadian sport system free of harassment, abuse, discrimination or ill-treatment.

We need to use an approach that works for and with athletes, Ms. continues. St-Onge. As Minister of Sports, I intend to make this independent mechanism mandatory for all federally funded national sports organizations.

According to Ms. St-Onge, in the five months since he was appointed Minister of Sport, at least eight national sports organizations have been targeted by allegations of child abuse, sexual abuse or public misuse. pondo.