A former participant in Nova Scotia’s Olympic sailing training initiative has initiated legal action against the national and provincial overseeing bodies of the sport, claiming they neglected to address her report of a sexual assault. The individual, hailing from British Columbia, asserts that she was attacked by a fellow team member in July 2024 while she was engaged in training and coaching duties in Nova Scotia at the age of 21.
In a lawsuit amounting to $9 million, it is alleged that the complainant promptly informed officials at Sail Canada and Sail Nova Scotia about the assault, but they purportedly disregarded her account and took retaliatory actions against her. According to Mike Smitiuch, the lawyer representing the complainant, the sailing authorities failed to treat the rape report with the necessary gravity, resulting in a lack of support from Sail Canada and its Nova Scotia division.
Following the report of the sexual assault, the complainant claims that her communication with the team and social interactions were severed by supervisors at Sail Canada and Sail Nova Scotia, with several teammates reportedly blocking her on social media. Additionally, she asserts that she was sidelined from training activities and isolated as a consequence.
The lawsuit characterizes the situation as emblematic of an “Old Boys club” endeavoring to downplay a young woman’s rape accusation. It further claims that neither the accused parties nor the overseeing bodies notified the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner about the assault, an entity responsible for enforcing a code of conduct for federally funded sports organizations, now managed by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.
In response, Kate MacLennan, chair of the board of directors at Sail Canada, expressed the organization’s commitment to full cooperation with the legal proceedings, emphasizing concern for the plaintiff’s well-being. Sail Canada, she stated, has collaborated with partners at the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner to ensure adherence to all policies, aiming to foster a safe and inclusive environment within the sport.
The complainant, who was part of the Nova Scotia Olympic skiff sailing team and employed as a sailing instructor at the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron in Halifax, alleges facing ongoing harassment at work subsequent to reporting the assault. The lawsuit contends that she was pressured to disclose details of the incident in front of colleagues.
The Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron refrained from commenting on the allegations due to their legal nature, affirming their unwavering commitment to the safety, respect, and well-being of all participants. The organization reiterated its dedication to enhancing programs, policies, and culture to ensure sailing occurs within a safe and supportive environment.
Allegations in the lawsuit suggest that in the autumn of 2024, coaches and staff at the sailing organizations conspired to conceal the assault, breaching their obligation to report any suspicion of sexual misconduct or abuse and failing to provide adequate protection and support to the complainant. The lawsuit also alleges a failure to enforce measures such as suspension or removal of implicated coaches and athletes.
Filed in the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, where Sail Canada is headquartered, the lawsuit seeks damages amounting to $9 million from the defendants. Sail Nova Scotia was unavailable for immediate comment, and it should be noted that none of the claims in the lawsuit have undergone judicial scrutiny.
