News | Gymnastics Canada

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OTTAWA, ON (February 23, 2023) – Gymnastics Canada is moving forward with significant changes in leadership, governance and processes to make the changes needed to lead the organization into an era of improved athlete wellbeing and safe sport .

“We heard loud and clear the cultural and behavioral wrongdoings that have harmed individuals and our sport. We recognize and respect the impact of this wrongdoing and are moving forward – today,” said Bernard Petiot, Interim Chairman.

The Gymnastics Canada Board has discussed with current CEO, Ian Moss, their desire to evolve the organization’s leadership to best meet the long-term needs of members and participants, as reflected in the Strategic Plan. The Board recognizes the significant contribution Mr. Moss has made to the organization over the past six years, including navigating the sport through the COVID lockdown years, the financial responsibility Mr. Moss has shown in leading the organization throughout on a strong financial footing during his tenure and in leading the Safe Sport Case Management process for Gymnastics Canada. It is also Mr Moss’ wish for the organization to have leadership that reflects the new post-COVID reality that the sport is facing. The Board and Mr. Moss look forward to a smooth transition process to a new CEO for the organization in the near future.

Among other changes the organization is announcing are:

• Recruitment for a new CEO
• The admission of new board members and the search for an additional board member
• The addition of a new Safe Sport Director who will drive a national culture of safe sport.
• And a new vetting process for hiring High Performance National Leaders, including in-depth interviews and character assessments.

The McLaren Independent Review (read here) provided a blunt 277-page report detailing a fractured culture and the way forward for greater well-being and accountability in gymnastics across Canada. It was released on January 27, 2023 as part of a commitment to cultural change and transparency.

Petiot said: “We have a lot to do. New leadership positions and renewed governance are important steps to move forward. The McLaren report has given us a framework for change and an increased commitment to accountability, transparency and excellence in safe sport.”

As part of a plan to revitalize the organization and make way for new leadership, Chief Executive Jeff Thomson resigned earlier this month. Thomson was instrumental in driving both the Safe Sport and Cultural Regeneration plans, culminating in the publication of the McLaren Independent Review of Gymnastics in Canada. He has been involved in gymnastics for over 40 years and remains active at the international level.

Vice-Chair Bernard Petiot has assumed the role of interim chair until March 2023, when the Board appoints a permanent chair. Petiot has been a gymnastics technical expert and coach for nearly five decades and has held a leadership position with Cirque du Soleil.

Kacey Neely joins Gymnastics Canada as Safe Sports Director with a Ph.D. in sports psychology and extensive experience in relation to athlete well-being and positive youth development. She will be responsible for GymCan’s Safe Sport Framework, the education and promotion of a safe sport environment and the national approach to Safe Sport in collaboration with all PTOs, clubs and external partners.

GymCan has signed the Abuse Free Sport Commitment and will work with the new Office of Sports Integrity Commissioner on its high-level grievance process.

“I am very excited to join Gymnastics Canada at this critical juncture in Safe Sport. The commitment to Safe Sport at all levels is unparalleled. And we hope that our new process for comprehensively screening high-performance leaders before they are hired will build trust with athletes, their families and the community. We are committed to increasing the visibility of athlete voices in our system,” says Neely.

Petiot added: “We recently rolled out our vetting system for our high-performing national leaders for the first time. It went beyond social media to include a lengthy and detailed review of individual relationships. We are confident that as an organization we are doing everything we can to make the right decisions. Our plan is to make our culture as good as possible.”

For more information contact:
Mary De Grasse
Gymnastics Canada
[email protected]