Statistics Canada published a new study, Unfair treatment, racism and discrimination in community sports in Canada, which uses data from the 2023 Survey Series on People and their Communities to examine issues concerning unfair treatment, racism and discrimination in community sports in Canada among people aged 15 and older. According to the research, in 2023, 6% of individuals in the sports community reported having experienced unfair treatment, racism or discrimination in community sports during the previous five years. The prevalence of self-reported unfair treatment, racism or discrimination in community sports was higher among members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community (21%), the racialized population (12%) and people who reported having a disability (9%).
The study sheds light on the prevalence of self-reported unfair treatment, racism or discrimination in the sports community, which includes people in athletic and non-athletic roles, as well as spectators. Contextual information about unfair treatment, racism and discrimination in sports is also explored, such as the motivations for discrimination and the types of discriminatory behaviour that victims experienced. In addition, the study examines broader perceptions of racism and discrimination in community sports among people in athletic roles, including sports participants’ confidence in the training of sports personnel to prevent and address incidents of racism and discrimination.
For further information about the study, click here.