Safe Sport
Sport Safety & Complaints
The Orillia Channel Cats are affiliated provincially with Swim Ontario and nationally with Swimming Canada.
CATS swimmers and officials are registered through these governing bodies and are expected to understand and follow the applicable sport safety policies, procedures and codes of conduct. Key resources are provided below for reference.
Complaints Process
Reporting a Code of Conduct concern
Conduct that violates Swim Ontario bylaws, policies, procedures or the Comprehensive Code of Conduct and Ethics may be subject to a formal complaint.
Swim Ontario Complaints Process
Review Swim Ontario's information about the complaint process and how complaints are administered.
Complaint, Discipline & Appeal Procedure
Review the formal procedure governing complaints, discipline and appeals.
Sport Safety
Visit Swim Ontario's Sport Safety section for current policies, resources and information.
Sport Safety Education
Sport safety education and resources for coaches, swimmers and parents.
Need Help?
Important Safe Sport Contacts
These independent resources can provide guidance on how to proceed when a sport safety concern arises.
Canadian Sport Helpline
The Canadian Sport Helpline can provide advice, guidance and resources about how to proceed or intervene appropriately in the circumstances.
Phone: 1-888-837-7678
Swimming Canada Safe Sport Officer
The Independent Safe Sport Official can guide individuals through the complaints process and explore other available options.
This person is an independent third party and may initiate appropriate policies based on the evidence or situation reported.
Contact with the Safe Sport Official is confidential, subject to applicable legal limits.
For general disputes, members are encouraged to first attempt to resolve the situation at the club or provincial level.
Independent Complaint Administration
What is a Dispute Resolution Officer?
The Dispute Resolution Officer, or DRO, is an independent person appointed to administer Swim Ontario Code of Conduct complaints in a procedurally fair manner.
Depending on the jurisdiction or nature of a complaint, the DRO may redirect a matter to Swimming Canada or another appropriate sport-integrity body.
A key responsibility of the DRO is independence from both Swim Ontario and its member clubs.
The DRO handles complaints independently and is not to be unduly influenced by anyone in the swimming community regarding the administration of a complaint.
The DRO does not provide legal advice to Swim Ontario or its member clubs and does not advocate for either side of a dispute.
The DRO's Role
How complaints are administered
- The DRO addresses complaint matters falling within the applicable complaint procedure.
- The DRO may retain external mediators, investigators and adjudicators when required as part of the process.
- The DRO's roles, responsibilities and obligations are set out in the Swim Ontario Complaint, Discipline and Appeal Procedure.
- The DRO does not advocate for either party.
- The DRO is expected to remain neutral and procedurally fair throughout the process.
- Where required, the DRO may need to report a matter to law enforcement, child protection services and/or Swim Ontario's insurers.
Before Submitting a Complaint
What kinds of matters are not processed by the DRO?
Not every disagreement or club concern falls within the Code of Conduct complaint process.
Examples of issues identified in the club's existing guidance as outside this process include:
- Employment matters
- Financial matters or refund disputes
- Swimming technical matters, such as training-group moves or meet entries
- Complaints that do not include the critical information represented by the 4 W's: Who, What, When and Where
Review the current Swim Ontario complaint procedure before submitting a complaint to ensure the matter falls within the appropriate process.