Safe Sport is about ensuring that all participants can take part in a positive and welcoming environment, where respect is expected, and misconduct of any kind is not tolerated.
Maintaining this standard takes a collective effort. It involves staying informed, taking steps to prevent issues before they arise, and having clear, accessible ways to report concerns and seek assistance.
MDS is committed to fostering a safe and respectful community for all individuals across all driving disciplines, avenues, and venues—within the show ring, on the trail, and beyond.
SAFE SPORT
Protecting Youth in Sport Act
The Government of Manitoba’s Protecting Youth in Sport Act took effect on April 1, 2026. This legislation requires Sport Manitoba, all Provincial Sport Organizations, and their affiliated clubs to implement strong safeguards, clear standards, and effective oversight measures to ensure the safety and well-being of young athletes.
Core Requirements:
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Adoption and enforcement of a Safe Sport policy
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Ongoing education and awareness initiatives
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Independent processes for handling maltreatment complaints
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Greater accountability through cross-organization oversight and transparency
1. Safe Sport Policy
Sport Manitoba is mandated to establish province-wide policies detailing behavioural expectations, acceptable and prohibited conduct for coaches, and athlete support personnel to young athletes (aged 21 and under) and parents.
Provincial Sport Organizations, including Manitoba Horse Council, must adopt and implement these policies and make them publicly available.
2. Education & Information
Sport Manitoba must prepare or approve age-appropriate education resources for athletes and parents,
covering behaviour expectations and actional steps to report maltreatment.
Coaches are required to complete training programs focused on identifying, preventing and reporting maltreatment.
Provincial Sport Organizations must make information available to young athletes and parents, and ensure that each of its coaches completes the required coaching courses.
3. Independent Maltreatment Complaint Handling
Maltreatment complaints must be referred to an independent adjudicator who is responsible for conducting
preliminary reviews, investigations, and hearings as needed, ensuring all parties are properly notified,
and issuing written decisions and disciplinary outcomes.
When a coach or athlete support personnel is found to have committed maltreatment against a young athlete,
Sport Manitoba must notify ALL provincial sport organizations.
Maltreatment
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physical, sexual or psychological abuse;
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grooming for the purpose of sexual abuse;
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neglect;
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unreasonable discrimination on the basis of a characteristic set out in subsection 9.2 of The Human Rights Code; or
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Additional Prohibitive Behaviours as defined by The Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS).
4. Cross-organizational Oversight & Transparency
Any discipline given by the adjudicator applies to all sport organizations recognized by Sport Manitoba.
A summary of the decision must be shared to all PSOs by Sport Manitoba to help prevent future contact with coaches or athlete support personnel who have maltreated a young athlete.
