Professional sport is a business first and sport second. This means things are accepted and encouraged in pro sport in the name of entertainment that we would not want to see in our community sport system. However, the problem is that while we play community sport, we watch professional sport.

It is time for governments to look at regulating the pro sport industry in our country. For example: should we allow pro sport to operate in our country if it is not governed by the World Anti-Doping Code? Why would we not want businesses operating in our country in accordance with the gold standard for educating, deterring and detecting doping in sport? The gold standard is the World Anti-Doping Code.

Should governments also be looking at regulations around online betting in light of continuing accusations of match fixing in many sports? When the economics of cheating creates more financial incentive than winning – you’ve got a problem!

We need to explore the use of government regulation to ensure we have fair, safe and open sport in Canada and to ensure that all sport – including pro sport – supports these values and their underlying principles.

The Canadian Policy on Prohibited Conduct in Sport (the Policy) is grounded in a fundamental commitment to protect the development, safety and wellbeing of athletes and participants involved in Canadian sport and to provide a procedurally fair mechanism to discipline those who engage in prohibited conduct.

The Code for Prohibited Conduct in Sport (the Code) prohibits conduct that is not consistent with the Policy. Describing the prohibited conduct in the Code will make it clear to those involved in Canadian sport that certain conduct by individuals in positions of authority will absolutely not be tolerated or condoned. Engaging in prohibited conduct will result in significant sanctions being imposed, that may include suspensions and possible expulsion from membership.