An innovative approach to disputes at the national level of Canada's sport system.

The Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC) is constituted by a federal act, the Physical Activity and Sport Act, and is funded by the Government of Canada (Sport Canada). It is a not-for-profit corporation. The Centre opened on April 1, 2004, with a mission to provide the sport community with a national alternative dispute resolution service for sport disputes, as well as expertise and assistance regarding alternative dispute resolution.

More information and better tools are reducing the number and severity of disputes. Conflicts are being resolved more quickly and efficiently, which is particularly important in situations where an athlete's ability to compete is at stake. Where the parties cannot work out disputes themselves, the Centre offers resolution facilitation, mediation, med/arb and arbitration services. Avoiding a court battle means a quicker resolution at less cost and, in most cases, a better result for everyone involved.

Our mission

To provide the sport community with a national alternative dispute resolution service, and to strengthen the culture of fairness in Canadian sport by resolving disputes quickly and efficiently, and by providing expertise and assistance in this area.

Who the Centre serves

The Centre meets the needs of a wide range of people involved in the Canadian sport system at the national level: members of National Sport Organizations and Multisport Service Organizations, including athletes, coaches, officials, administrators and volunteers.

The Centre does not have jurisdiction to resolve disputes at the international, provincial, local or professional levels, but all Internet-based dispute prevention initiatives are available to everyone, no matter what level, through the Dispute Prevention Resource Centre.

A year of transition, 2025 to 2026

The 2025 to 2026 year marked a period of transition, including the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer and the completion of activities related to the transition of the Abuse-Free Sport Program to Sport Integrity Canada. The Centre continued to strengthen access to justice through the renewal of its roster of arbitrators and mediators: with near gender parity across the roster, it now counts 74 arbitrators and mediators, including 27 newly appointed professionals. It implemented a revised Canadian Sport Dispute Resolution Code, began making public decisions more accessible through CanLII, and opened 77 new cases involving 35 sports. The Centre is expected to surpass this case volume during the 2026 to 2027 fiscal year.

Governance

The Board of Directors is composed of 12 members and is responsible for providing strategic oversight and direction to the organization. Board appointments are made by the Minister responsible for the Physical Activity and Sport Act through an independent Government of Canada appointment process. Directors serve terms of up to three years and may be eligible for reappointment.

A second look, on purpose

The Centre's September 2026 release notes that work is underway on a renewed website and Resource Centre strategy, designed to improve access to information and support for participants across the sport community. This prototype is a second look alongside that work, not a replacement for it: the same structure, the same facts, carried on a clearer system.