A look at unfair treatment, racism and discrimination in community sports, 2023

Release date: March 10, 2025
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Infographic: A look at unfair treatment, racism and discrimination in community sports, 2023
Description: A look at unfair treatment, racism and discrimination in community sports, 2023

In 2023, 26% of sports participants in athletic roles felt that racism and discrimination were problems in community sports in Canada.

Within the wider sports community, 6% of individuals reported having experienced unfair treatment, racism or discrimination in community sports in the previous five years.

This proportion was higher among 2SLGBTQ+Note 1 people (21%), racialized people (12%) and people who reported having a disability (9%).

Percentage of individuals in the wider sports community who reported having experienced unfair treatment, racism or discrimination in community sports in the previous five years Table summary
This table displays the results of Percentage of individuals in the wider sports community who reported having experienced unfair treatment, racism or discrimination in community sports in the previous five years , calculated using (appearing as column headers).
   
Overall 6%
Racialized status  
Racialized people 12%
Non-racialized people 4%
2SLGBTQ+ status  
2SLGBTQ+ people 21%
Non-2SLGBTQ+ people 5%
Disability status  
People who reported having a disability 9%
People who reported not having a disability 6%
  • More than 1 in 5 victims of unfair treatment, racism or discrimination in community sports reported being threatened or harassed
  • 1 in 7 victims reported being physically attacked or assaulted.

In 2023, more than 1 in 10 individuals who had participated in an athletic role in the previous five years stopped because of a negative experience.

Reasons for no longer participating in a sport in the previous five years due to a negative experience, 2023 Table summary
This table displays the results of Reasons for no longer participating in a sport in the previous five years due to a negative experience, 2023 , calculated using (appearing as column headers).
   
Health or safety concerns 57%
Did not feel included or welcome 21%
Unsportsmanlike conduct by other players 21%
Unfair treatment or discrimination 12%
Bullying or harassment 11%
Unfair rules or procedures 5%
Other 14%

Community sports

Organized sports activities that include community and school sports leagues, competitive club sports, recreational sports, and drop-in sports.

Wider sports community

Participants in sports (athletes, players), individuals in non-athletic roles (i.e., coaches, referees, volunteers, managers, administrators) and spectators.

Note: The data in this infographic cover the population aged 15 and older.

Sources: Statistics Canada, Survey Series on People and their Communities – Participation and Experiences in Community Sports and Survey Series on People and their Communities – Sport, Workplace Culture, Political Engagement and Shared Values, 2023.

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Copyright

Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2025

Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement.

Catalogue no. 11-627-M

Frequency: Occasional

Ottawa

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