Canada's New Safe Sport Registry Exposes Past Abuses as BC Soccer Faces Legal Claims
Canada has taken a major step toward transparency in sports by launching a public registry of banned individuals. The Canadian Safe Sport Program Public Registry lists people suspended or banned for misconduct like sexual assault and abuse of minors. This comes as BC Soccer faces legal action from former players abused by a coach now on that list.
The Registry's First Phase and Key Cases
The registry, created by Sport Integrity Canada, is currently voluntary for national sports organizations but aims to become mandatory. It already includes notable cases like former Canada Soccer and Vancouver Whitecaps coach Bob Birarda. Birarda pleaded guilty in 2022 to three counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual touching involving players under his care. His inclusion highlights gaps in previous systems where bans weren't publicly acknowledged.
Signy Arnason, executive director of Safe Sport for Sport Integrity Canada, emphasized this is just the beginning. She told The Guardian that Birarda's absence from earlier registries was "a perfect example of a serious gap that needs to be fixed – no question." The program has been adopted by 93 national sports organizations, with 80 voluntarily providing information. However, some major organizations like Hockey Canada, under scrutiny for abuse handling, aren't yet participating.
Key elements of the registry include:
- Public listing of individuals banned or suspended for misconduct
- Focus on criminal convictions for sexual assault, sexual maltreatment of minors, and grooming
- Voluntary participation currently, with push for mandatory requirements
- International relevance as coaches move between countries
Legal Action Against BC Soccer
BC Soccer now faces legal claims from multiple former players coached by Birarda in the Vancouver area. These players provided evidence that led to Birarda's criminal conviction and jail sentence. They've made a financial claim against the organization, which hasn't filed a response and declined to comment. According to someone familiar with the case, BC Soccer made a "lowball" counter offer to the claimants.
The organization's 2024 financial report references "claims in respect of historical events" and states "the amount and likelihood of incurring a loss is not determinable." BC Soccer is being represented by Vancouver law firm Alexander Holburn, where Bruno De Vita—deputy chair of FIFA's Ethics Committee and a Court of Arbitration for Sport arbitrator—is a partner. The claimants are represented by DWF Group.
Why This Registry Matters Globally
Arnason stressed that the globalization of sport makes such registries crucial. Individuals can move between countries without accountability, as shown by cases like George Barber. This athletics coach was banned by Athletics Canada in 2015 after they learned he had a 2007 criminal conviction for having sex with a student while employed at a US high school.
"We know that people move through the system," Arnason said. "This registry is so critical for the international community. This is not just about Canada. It is about everyone examining how best to start to solve these really serious issues in a meaningful way."
The Future of Sport in Canada Commission recommended making registry participation mandatory, with funding tied to compliance. Arnason supports this, stating: "We want to limit an individual's opportunity to harm others within the system."
Key Takeaways
- Canada's new Safe Sport Registry publicly lists individuals banned for misconduct like sexual abuse
- Former coach Bob Birarda's inclusion exposes previous transparency failures in Canadian soccer
- BC Soccer faces legal claims from Birarda's victims while the organization remains silent
- The registry aims to prevent banned individuals from moving between countries undetected
- Pressure grows to make registry participation mandatory for all sports organizations
— Editorial Team
