Ethical Sport Symposium

(Ottawa, Ontario – October 2, 2019) – A two-day symposium in April came to fruition today with the publication of a White Paper outlining five recommendations for a Canadian response to the threat of match manipulation. The document describes proven international strategies then brings it home with a five-step process that builds on them in a Canadian context. In addition to release to the public and sport community, the incoming Minister of Sport will receive a copy of the White Paper for their consideration of the recommendations.  

“Match fixing is a real and current threat to athlete safety,” said Ashley LaBrie, AthletesCAN Executive Director. “It’s happening in our backyard and it needs to be brought to the forefront. Athletes are ready to play a central role in the development of legislation and policy to address this issue now, before it’s too late.”

The recommendations start with a call to establish a Federal Commission, which would examine the issue and develop an action plan to address it. Within the framework of the Commission, the remaining four recommendations are a kick-off point for action, leveraging the work started by the group of integrity experts and sport leaders during the April symposium.

The 2019 Symposium on Match Manipulation and Gambling in Sport, co-hosted by McLaren Global Sport Solutions (MGSS) and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES), brought together more than 100 delegates from interested sectors, including national and international sport, law, regulatory agencies, academia and law enforcement.

Symposium moderator and international investigative journalist Declan Hill said, “Match fixing is an existential threat to sport. It can destroy all credibility in a league, yet 90 per cent of fixing is preventable. Canadians need to take action to protect our sport.”

To download the White Paper and its Executive Summary, please visit https://www.cces.ca/2019-symposium-match-manipulation-and-gambling-sport.

About the CCES

The CCES is an independent, national, not-for profit organization with a responsibility to administer the Canadian Anti-Doping Program. We recognize that true sport can make a great difference for individuals, communities and our country. The CCES acknowledges funding, in part, from the Government of Canada. We are committed to making sport better by working collaboratively to activate a values-based and principle-driven sport system; protecting the integrity of sport from the negative forces of doping and other unethical threats; and advocating for sport that is fair, safe and open to everyone.

About MGSS

MGSS ensures leading industry solutions and best practices to sports clients specifically focused on implementing strong sport management infrastructure. MGSS is a highly specialized sport consulting firm focused on mitigating risks related to ethics and governance within organizations. Our mission is to help sports organizations protect and enhance their brand, navigate difficult organizational issues related to ethics, governance and integrity, and inform strategic business decisions.

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For further information, please contact:

Megan Cumming
Manager, Corporate Communications
613 521-3340 x3233
mcumming@cces.ca

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