Protecting Youth in Sports Act

Lise Thiessen • March 19, 2026

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New measures to enhance safe sport now enacted

The Government of Manitoba’s Protecting Youth in Sports Act is now officially enacted. As a result, all Provincial Sport Organizations (PSOs) are now mandated to adopt Sport Manitoba’s Safe Sport Policy Manual.


In compliance with the Act, Rugby Manitoba has formally adopted the following Sport Manitoba safe sport policies:

  •  Code of Conduct and Ethics Policy;
  • Discipline and Complaints Policy;
  • Alternate Dispute Resolution Policy;
  • Appeal Policy;
  • Respect in Sport Policy
  • Coach Screening Policy Minimum Requirements.


These policies outline critical information for all stakeholders including, but not limited to, behaviour expectations for participants, procedures for handling complaints of maltreatment, disciplinary measures that can be imposed if someone is found to have engaged in maltreatment, and coach education and screening requirements.


These policies apply to all PSO-sanctioned clubs, teams, programs, and individuals operating under our authority. This means all clubs must comply with The Protecting Youth in Sports Act and safe sport policies.


Importantly, all allegations of maltreatment must be reported directly to an Independent Third Party (ITP) mechanism. Member clubs, teams, or individuals must not manage, assess, or investigate maltreatment complaints internally. The ITP is responsible for receiving, reviewing, and managing all allegations of maltreatment, ensuring independent, unbiased, and safe handling of each case.


Please visit our new safe sport page to access new safe sport resources including, but not limited to:

● The Safe Sport Policy Manual

● The ITP reporting mechanism

● Guidelines on how to report maltreatment

● Safe sport information for young athletes and parents


As an organization dedicated to ensuring all participants have positive experiences in sport, we are committed to these enhanced safe sport measures and will continue to help establish a maltreatment-free sport environment.

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