Reporting a situation to the Protecteur de l’intégrité en loisir et en sport

Filing a complaint or making a report to protect the physical and psychological integrity of individuals in the practice of a recreational activity or sport

The word “integrity” refers to the respect for and the protection of a person’s physical and psychological welfare. In particular, the objective is to ensure their safety, well-being and development during recreational or sports activities.

A person’s integrity may be harmed in situations where they experience:

• violence (psychological, physical or sexual)
• neglect
• harassment or bullying
• abuse, discrimination, mistreatment or exploitation
• any treatment that may compromise their integrity

These situations may take place in different contexts and locations, including:

• within a practice, training or competition area
• in the locker rooms, showers, bleachers or dressing rooms, or backstage
• in a means of transportation or lodging
• online

In order for a situation of harm to integrity to be handled by the PILS, it must exceed a certain level of seriousness. It must have an impact or consequences that are temporary or permanent.

Other situations do not usually harm the integrity of a person. This means they are not handled by the PILS. This is the case for situations such as the following:

• decisions to include, exclude or not select a person for a team or activity
• decisions made by a referee
• schedules for the use of an area in a sports facility
• criteria for ranking, awarding scholarships or giving recognition
• internal governance issues (internal management, electoral processes, resource allocation, etc.)
• conflicts concerning individuals involved in recreation and sports

However, the PILS can intervene if these situations cause direct harm to a person's integrity in the context of the practice of recreational or sports activities.

If you have any doubts about whether a situation has caused harm to a person's integrity, contact the Protecteur de l’intégrité en loisir et en sport.

A complaint can be filed by anyone, of any age, whose physical or psychological integrity has been harmed in the context of a recreational or sports activity.

A report can be filed by anyone, of any age, who has witnessed harm being done to a person's physical or psychological integrity in the context of a recreational or sports activity.

The office of the PILS usually intervenes in cases of complaints or reports that concern recreation and sports federations and organizations.

It also intervenes in cases where the complaints or reports concern individuals. These may include all those involved in recreation and sports, such as:

• volunteers or salaried workers associated with a federation or organization (e.g. coaches, referees, managers, support staff, practitioners)
• players, athletes, participants
• spectators
• parents, friends and family

The PILS can intervene in cases where the complaints or reports concern other organizations involved in the practice of sports and recreation. These organizations may be:

• universities, CEGEPs and educational organizations
• municipalities
• transportation providers
• private companies offering recreational or sports activities

You may contact the PILS:

• if you need further information about what constitutes harm to a person’s physical or psychological integrity in the context of the practice of a recreational activity or sport
• if you have any questions about the roles and responsibilities of the PILS
• for any other reason

In particular, the PILS can help you:

• decide whether the PILS is the right resource for you
• understand the scope of the jurisdiction of the PILS
• understand the PILS reporting and complaint processing procedure

For more information

When you file a complaint or make a report, the PILS will:

• contact you within two business days
• assess whether the complaint or report is admissible and falls within its jurisdiction
  • inform you of other resources you might turn to if it finds that the complaint or report is not admissible or falls outside its jurisdiction
• initiate an investigation or any other procedure deemed appropriate if the complaint or report is found to be admissible and falls within the jurisdiction of the PILS
• submit a conclusion report within 45 days of receiving the complaint or report. The conclusion report will be sent to the complainant, the person who is the subject of the complaint and the organization involved

During its investigation, the Protecteur de l’intégrité en loisir et en sport listens to all the parties involved in order to get a full picture of the situation. It represents neither the complainant, the person making the report, nor the person who is the subject of the allegations. The investigation is entirely impartial. The PILS has investigative powers that allow it to shed light on the situations it examines.

When it is deemed appropriate, the PILS may meet with the parties to attempt to bring them to an agreement. All the parties must then consent in writing to participating in the meeting. The PILS suspends the processing of the complaint during this process.

When you file a complaint or make a report, you may be required to:

• provide all relevant information to the PILS staff (dates of events, recordings, photos, screen captures, etc.)
• answer messages from the PILS by email or by phone
• be available to meet with a PILS staff member to answer their questions

Filling a complaint or making a report

By choosing to contact us by text message using your telephone number, you agree to receive text messages from the Protecteur de l’intégrité en loisir et en sport (gouvernement du Québec). You can respond at any moment with STOP to withdraw consent. The frequency at which messages are sent may vary. Standard messaging and data rates may apply.