Ontario Announces Proposed Legislation to Protect Coaches, Volunteers and Minor Sport Associations Who Make Honest Efforts to Follow COVID-19 Public Health Guidelines and Laws

Date: Oct, 20, 2020 12:00 PM EDT

CAMBRIDGE, ON – The Ontario government announced today the introduction of the Supporting Ontario's Recovery Act, 2020, that if passed, will provide liability protection for coaches, volunteers and minor sport associations that make an honest effort to follow public health guidelines and laws relating to exposure to COVID-19.

“The Ontario Hockey Federation and its Member Partners have been leaders in providing sport that follows public health guidelines and laws. However, the undertaking of personal liability from returning sport in this current COVID-19 landscape has been a cause of significant concern and resulted in several organizations to hit pause on the 2020-2021 season,” said Phillip McKee, executive director of the Ontario Hockey Federation.

The OHF and our Provincial Sport Organization partners have been working diligently with the Hon. Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, the Office of the Attorney General, the Premier’s Office and many Members of Provincial Parliament to find a solution to this legal risk.

 “We are pleased to see the government is taking an important step to bring forward legislation. This change will give sport confidence that the government will help protect players, coaches and volunteers who continue to provide a safe return to sport,” said McKee.

This announcement follows the decisions of both British Columbia and Nova Scotia who implemented legislation to help protect workers supporting communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.