Dispute Resolution Secretariat (Tribunal)
The Secretariat serves athletes, coaches, officials, administrators and volunteers, as well as sport organizations and multisport services organizations.
Alternate dispute resolution is a series of processes that are alternatives to litigation and offer a number of advantages over the formal court system. The processes include prevention, negotiation, facilitation, mediation and arbitration. The goals are to reduce time and costs for dispute resolution, maintain or improve the disputants' relationship, ensure that the outcome is realistic, workable and durable, and develop a process that people can learn from.
Since April 2004
The first division, created in April 2004, serves as a final appeal mechanism for sports-related decisions rendered by organizations that, through the normal course, are subject to an internal appeal. It most often deals with team selection and athlete carding, and also resolves disputes pertaining to eligibility, general discipline, governance, and many others.
Since June 2004
This specialized division serves as the first instance for the adjudication of doping violations asserted by Sport Integrity Canada against Canadian athletes or other persons. It is also responsible for ruling on challenges of provisional suspensions imposed by Sport Integrity Canada.
Created 2021
Created in 2021 as part of the safe sport movement in Canada, this division serves as the first instance for hearings pertaining to violations and sanctions for maltreatment, including harassment, abuse and discrimination. Its rules allow for procedural accommodations to protect victims and vulnerable witnesses.
Appeals
Formerly named the Doping Appeal Tribunal, this division continues to hear appeals of doping-related decisions, while also serving as an appeal mechanism for decisions of the Safeguarding Tribunal pertaining to sanctions.
Resolution facilitation and mediation: the Centre helps facilitate a resolution without rendering any kind of formal decision. Arbitration: the arbitrator considers the merits of both sides of the case, then renders a decision. Med/arb: the process starts with mediation and, if the dispute is not resolved, concludes by arbitration.
In dispute resolution, the independence of the third party, whether one individual or a panel, is critical. The Centre has established a roster of highly qualified mediators, med/arb neutrals and arbitrators, located in every region of the country. Together they can mediate and arbitrate in both French and English. All have received intensive training in sport law. Three specialized subsets serve the system: Safe Sport Mediators, Doping Tribunal Arbitrators, and Safeguarding Tribunal Arbitrators. The roster now counts 74 arbitrators and mediators, including 27 newly appointed professionals.
Service conditions for the Dispute Resolution Secretariat took effect on April 1, 2026. For questions about dispute resolution services, or about potential appeals or challenges, contact the Tribunal team directly.