March 12 ‘99March 12 ‘993. From: Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport
5. Alberta Coaches & Officials Symposium
Just a little reminder: FCA's Ottawa office will be closed until Monday, March 29 at 8:30 am. Please hold your e-mails, etc. or redirect them if possible./Notre bureau d'Ottawa sera ferme jusqu'au 29 mars. N'envoyez rien d'e-mail SVP.
The financial welfare of the COA is extremely important to FCA and its athletes. You may have heard about recent problems. Please find COA's version below.
To/A: National Sport Federations
From/De: Mark Lowry, Canadian Olympic Association
Please find a copy of a letter sent to our Board of Directors from President, Bill Warren, providing the background and status of the Olympic Lottery. Recent media reports have focussed attention on the status of the legal actions taken by the Board of Directors to recover the outstanding loss from the Insurance Company.
Please feel free to contact Mark Lowry, COA Ottawa office, should you wish to discuss this further. Regards to all.
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To members of the COA Board of Directors,
By now you probably have heard the media reports -- or heard about them - regarding last year's Canadian Olympic Lottery for Athletes. You will recall that the Board has had full disclosure on this matter from when the proposal first was received in 1996 until the last correspondence in September regarding the launch of our lawsuit.
To recap:
The Canadian Olympic Lottery for Athletes was launched in 1997 to raise money for our Athlete Fund with the full support of our Board of Directors, the COA Executive Committee and the Athletes' Council's Executive Committee. Unfortunately, as you know, despite our best efforts, the venture was not successful. Our commitment to our Athletes' Council was, should the lottery not meet expectations, it would have absolutely no impact on our athlete programs or our ability to fund them.
Although we performed our due diligence before undertaking this project, including engaging professionals to conduct thorough research on the feasibility of the project, ticket sales did not meet expectations.
A key aspect of our due diligence was having the foresight, on the advice of the Executive Committee of the Canadian Olympic Foundation, to purchase specialized lottery insurance coverage, which we did before we bought our lottery licence.
As such, when the lottery failed to meet expectations, we submitted our claim for approximately $9.2 million to our insurers in the United States. When that claim was rejected we engaged law firm Borden and Elliot, who concluded that the rejection of coverage was unfounded in fact and in law.
As a result, we retained US lawyers, who filed a lawsuit for damages and costs on our behalf in Dallas, where the insurer is located.
Because this matter is before the courts, we cannot comment publicly on the details of the case. All members of the board should know, however, that although there is going to be considerable media interest in the story, the case is in the hands of the best professionals available -- law firms Borden and Elliot in Canada and Haynes and Boone in Texas, and auditors KPMG -- who believe we have a good case and we should proceed.
Should you receive media calls on this matter, would you please forward them to either Bill Warren, or Paul Shugart or Deborah Allan in the COA Toronto office.
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À tous les membres du conseil d'administration de l'AOC,
Vous avez sans doute entendu - ou entendu parler - des rapports publiés par certains médias sur la loterie olympique canadienne pour les athlètes de l'an dernier. Vous vous rappellerez que le conseil d'administration a été mis au courant de tous les faits et ce, à partir du moment où la proposition a été reçue en 1996 jusqu'à la dernière correspondance en septembre qui faisait état d'une poursuite intentée.
Voici un sommaire de la situation :
La loterie olympique canadienne pour les athlètes a été lancée en 1997 avec le plein appui du conseil d'administration, du comité exécutif de l'AOC et du comité exécutif du Conseil des athlètes, dans le but d'amasser des fonds pour le Fonds des athlètes. Malheureusement, le projet a échoué malgré tous nos efforts. Notre engagement envers notre Conseil des athlètes était que la loterie, si le projet ne donnait pas les résultats escomptés, n'aurait aucun impact sur les programmes destinés aux athlètes ni sur notre capacité à les financer.
Bien que nous ayons agi avec diligence raisonnable avant d'entreprendre ce projet, notamment en retenant les services de professionnels pour effectuer la recherche, la vente de billets a été inférieure à nos attentes.
Un élément clé de notre diligence raisonnable a été d'avoir eu la prudence, comme l'a conseillé le comité exécutif de la Fondation olympique canadienne, d'obtenir une assurance spécialisée dans le domaine des loteries, ce que nous avons fait avant d'obtenir notre permis de loterie.
Ainsi, lorsque la loterie a échoué, nous avons présenté une réclamation d'environ 9,2 millions de dollars à nos assureurs aux États-Unis. Nous avons retenu les services de l'étude légale Border et Elliot, après que les assureurs aient refusé notre réclamation, et celle-ci a conclu que le refus de notre réclamation était non fondé en faits et en droit.
Nous avons donc retenu les services d'une firme d'avocats des États-Unis qui a intenté une poursuite en dommages et intérêts en notre nom à Dallas, où se situent les bureaux de notre assureur.
Voilà les faits. Nous sommes convaincus de la pertinence de notre dossier. Nos conseillers juridiques sont parmi les meilleurs de leur profession.
Il nous est impossible de commenter publiquement les détails de l'affaire car elle est encore en cours. Tous les membres du conseil d'administration doivent savoir que cette histoire retiendra énormément d'attention dans les médias, que l'affaire a été confiée à des professionnels très compétents et bien en vue - Borden et Elliot au Canada, Haynes et Boone au Texas, et la firme de vérification KPMG - et que ceux-ci croient que notre dossier est solide et que nous devons aller de l'avant.
Si vous recevez des appels de la part de journalistes au sujet de cette affaire, pourriez-vous leur mentionner de communiquer avec Bill Warren, Paul Shugart ou Deborah Allen au bureau de l'AOC à Toronto.
E-mail distribution service provided by SIRC at:http://www.canadiansport.com
And from your Athlete's Representative:
Hi everyone, Bonjour a tous,
I'm forwarding to you an e-mail I received from Ken Read, all athletes who approve the gesture, follow the directives below.
Je vous fais parvenir le message que j'ai recu de Ken Read, tous les athletes qui approuvent le geste, suivre les directives ci-dessous.
Marty Cusson Athlete's rep.
The following statement will be issued to the media either later this week or early next week in advance of the Special IOC Session of March 17-18.If you are willing to support of this Olympian statement, please forward your name and sport to Athletes CAN at:
>- email: athcan@idirect.com
>- tel: 1-888-832-4222
>- fax: 1-905-272-3961
>
We encourage you to forward this statement to as many athletes as possible.
>---------
March 8, 1999
Reform of the International Olympic Committee
Proposed by an Olympian
In advance of the Special Session of the International Olympic Committee March 17-18, Olympians wish to outline our expectations of reform of the IOC.
Olympians are Olympic athletes who have had the privilege of competing at the Olympic Games and Olympic Winter Games.
The Olympic Games are for athletes. The IOC has been entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Olympic Movement and the Olympic Games.
Recent events have shaken this trust. This is why we feel compelled to speak out. The recommendations we put forward are intended to be progressive, constructive and provide leadership to the IOC and the Olympic Movement. They are consistent with the fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter, IOC Oath and rules of conduct for IOC members.
Specifically, principle #2 states "Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles".
Each IOC member takes a pledge, part of which includes "...to keep myself free from any political or commercial influence..."
And finally, rule 1.6 governing the conduct of IOC member's states "Members of the IOC may not accept from governments, organizations or other legal entities or natural persons, any mandate liable to bind them or interfere with the freedom of their action or vote".
To implement reform, Olympians call for the following action:
IOC Membership
1. Term limits be implemented, effective immediately. Current IOC members are to be subject to the term limit. If they have been IOC members for longer than the period of time determined, then they are obliged to step down immediately. IOC membership would be for one term only.
2. If the IOC member is elected to a position on the Executive Board which term would extend beyond the term of eligibility, the IOC member may remain until the elected term of office ends.
3. A codified method of selection for IOC members is implemented immediately. This method of selection must be open and democratic.
4. Eligible candidates for IOC membership must have participated in the Olympic Winter Games or Olympic Games as an athlete.
5. The athlete representative organization of each country would be given the right to nominate candidates for IOC membership.
IOC Members Code of Conduct
1. Olympians support the Ethics Commission proposed by the IOC Executive Board. However, this new Commission must be completely independent. Therefore, no IOC members should be included in the Ethics Commission.
2. The IOC must implement a protocol regarding nepotism. As a starting point, Olympians insist that spouses and children of IOC members must not be engaged by Olympic sponsors, Olympic broadcasters or Olympic organizing committees or bid committees.
3. IOC members will not visit Olympic candidate cities in the capacity of IOC members.
4. IOC members may not accept gifts in any form.
The IOC Executive Board
1. As recommended by the IOC Athletes Commission, Olympians call for one position on the Executive Board to be elected by athletes.
Administration of the IOC
1. The IOC administration should issue audited financial statements on an annual basis.
2. All IOC Commissions should be required to have at least one athlete representative.
Olympic City Selection
1. Olympians support the principle of creating an "electoral college" to select future Olympic Cities.
2. The process of selection of Olympic cities must be put in the hands of qualified individuals and partners. Olympians call for a reformed selection process which gives full weight to the expertise of the International Sport Federations and gives athletes the right to participate fully in the selection.
3. Olympians call for the establishment of an 'Ombudsman' for the selection process, to ensure rules are adhered to and to give Olympic candidate cities a place to lodge complaints or observations of irregular activities.
4. The IOC must implement strict, comprehensive guidelines to guide candidate cities.
Ongoing Investigation
3. The IOC will agree, in advance, to accept and fully implement the findings and recommendations of the independent investigator.
Conclusion
IOC membership is a privilege, as is participation by athletes in the Olympic Games. For a Movement to be based on excellence, it is essential to ensure the organization leading the Olympic Movement conducts business in an open, transparent and democratic manner. The IOC must set an example of leadership.
Principally, Olympians must run the Olympic Movement. These recommendations are issued to pro vide the view of Olympians to the IOC as it beings the process of reform in the March 17-18 session.
The IOC membership must recognize that a culture of nepotism, cronyism and corruption has become entrenched within the IOC. Olympians will no longer >tolerate this attitude or culture.
We hope the IOC membership recognizes this opportunity for reform, to give the Olympic Movement a fresh platform for progress in the 21st century.
2. More Politics & Sport: Non-funded Olympic Sports/Mills Reports
Dear Lobby Group;
Between now and the end of April the federal cabinet will be deciding on issues surrounding NHL tax breaks recommended in the Mills Report . By May 2, 1999 the governemnt must respond to the Mills Report, which contains our recommendations . So you have a brief window of opportunity to influence MPs with e-mails in support of recomendations #4 & #5 listed below.
4. The number of national sport organizations eligible for funding be increased. (A minimum funding level of $100,000 per year would allow national sport organizations representing Olympic sports to provide a basic level of service to their athletes and maintain a limited program.)
5. The carding eligibility criteria be changed to provide funding to all qualified national team athletes regardless of the funding status of the national sport organization.
I sent the following message to MPs through the web site www.candiansport.com/mills.html
If you can think of any good examples in your sport - go for it.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
While the federal government is considering ways to improve the economic environment for professional hockey teams in Canada, it should also be considering ways to improve the fairness of the system of direct support for amateur athletes who represent Canada internationally.
At the 1999 Nordic Ski World Championships in Ramsua Austria (Feb 18-28), there was a situation that highlighted the inequity of Sport Canada's Athlete Assistance Program and provides an excellent example of why the federal government should implement recommendation #5 of the Report from the Sub Committee on Study of Sport. Recommendation #5 is as follows:
"The carding eligibility criteria be changed to provide funding to all qualified national team athletes regardless of the funding status of the national sport organization."
At these World Championships cross country skiers, ski jumpers, and nordic combined (a sport that includes both cross country skiing and ski jumping by the same athlete) athletes competed. Damien Carson, a Canadian nordic combined athlete had the highest ranking finish of any Canadian athlete competing. Mr. Carson however is discriminated against because he is a nordic combined athlete and therefore has a ridiculously more difficult criteria to meet than a cross country skier in order to qualify for Sport Canada's Athlete Assistance Program.
Nordic Combined skiers along with ski jumpers must be ranked in the top 8 in the world before they qualify for any support from the Athlete Assistance Program. Carson therefore receives no direct support from Sport Canada's Athlete Assistance Program. While the Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program currently supports 10 cross country skiing athletes, Mr. Carson, who may be Canada's best nordic skier remains unsupported. There is a real possibility that some of Canada's very best Olympic sport amateur athletes will go through their entire careers unsupported by the Athlete Assistance Program while athletes of far lesser caliber receive considerable federal support for many years.
This situation must change if there is to be fairness in a healthy Canadian sport system.
Implement recommendation #5 of the Mills Report.
3. From: Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport
The Building a New Brand of Sport(c) discussion papers are part of the Spirit of Sport Campaign and are intended to raise awareness and promote dialogue about some of the major ethical issues in sport. The future goal of this initiative is to develop policy positions or ethical standards in consultation with athletes, coaches, sport organizations as well as other members of the Canadian sport community, and experts in relevant professional fields.
E-mail distribution service provided by SIRC at:
From: Canadian Firearms
03/09/99 04:53 PM
Comments/Remarques:
Bulletin No. 30
About the CFC Bulletin
The Canadian Firearms Centre (CFC) Bulletin explains specific areas of the Firearms Act and how it affects you.
New Implementation Dates
While the balance of the Firearms Act was brought into force on December 1, 1998, some portions of the Act and its regulations have been deferred to later "start dates". Here is a revised list of when some of those provisions will be coming into effect.
- The Guns Shows Regulations now will come into effect on December 1, 1999.
- The portion of the Act that establishes border controls effecting businesses and the Authorization to Export or Import Firearms Regulations (Businesses) now will come into effect on January 1, 2001.
- Sections 8 to 10 and 12 to 16 of the Public Agents Firearms Regulations, which establish the reporting requirements by public service agencies to the Registrar and the disposal of firearms, now will come into effect on January 1, 2001. (Sections 1 to 7, 11 and 17 dealing with the storage of firearms, training of public agents, the assignment of the Agency Identification Numbers, and the reporting of lost or stolen firearms to the Registrar already came into effect on December 1, 1998).
- Sections 5(3) and 7(4)(e) of the Firearms Act regarding Non-Residents' Sixty Day Possession Licences, which deal with adult visitors to Canada who borrow non-restricted firearms, now will come into effect on January 1, 2001.
- The requirement for buyers of crossbows to have a licence has been deferred until further notice.
New Approach to the Bulletin
Due to increased mailing costs, as of March 1, we can no longer send the CFC Bulletin by surface mail. If you have been receiving the Bulletin by e-mail or fax, you will continue to receive it as before. If you receive the Bulletin by surface mail and have a fax or e-mail number, please contact us and we can start sending it to you electronically. In the future, subscribers without fax or e-mail will receive a quarterly newsletter by surface mail. The newsletter will contain the information found in the last three or four Bulletins. This newsletter also will replace the Insight Newsletter, which is no longer being published.
For more information, or for a copy of the Firearms Act, its regulations and other CFC publications, contact us at: 1 800 731-4000 (Toll Free) Web site: www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca e-mail: Please help us keep our mailing list accurate by informing us of your new address (including e-mail and fax number) if you move. If you want to be removed from our mailing list, please provide us your name and address (including e-mail and fax number) with your request. This bulletin is intended to provide general information only. For legal references, please refer to the Firearms Act and its regulations. Provincial, territorial and municipal laws, regulations and policies may also apply.
___________________________________________________________________
Bulletin No 30
À propos du Bulletin du CCAF
Le Bulletin du Centre canadien des armes à feu (CCAF) explique les divers aspects de la Loi sur les armes à feu et la façon dont elle s'applique à chacun.
Nouvelles dates d'entrée en vigueur Quoique la majeure partie de la Loi sur les armes à feu est entrée en vigueur le 1er décembre 1998, certaines parties de la Loi et de ses règlements ont été différées à des dates d'entrée en vigueur ultérieures. Voici une liste révisée des dates où certaines de ces dispositions entreront en vigueur.
-Les règlements sur les expositions d'armes à feu entreront maintenant en vigueur le 1er décembre 1999.
- La partie de la Loi qui établie les contrôles à la frontière touchant les entreprises et le Règlement sur les autorisations d'exportation ou d'importation d'armes à feu (entreprises) entreront maintenant en vigueur le 1er janvier 2001.
- Les articles 8 à 10 et 12 à 16 du Règlement sur les armes à feu des agents publics qui établissent les exigences relatives aux rapports des agences de services publics présentés au directeur et à la disposition des armes à feu, entreront maintenant en vigueur le 1er janvier 2001. (Les articles 1 à 7, 11 et 17 qui traitent de l'entreposage des armes à feu, de la formation des agents publics, de l'assignation des numéros d'identification d'agences, et de la déclaration au directeur d'armes à feu perdues ou volées sont déjà entrés en vigueur le 1er décembre 1998).
- Les articles 5(3) et 7(4)(e) de la Loi sur les armes à feu visant les permis de possession de 60 jours pour non-résidents à l'intention des adultes visiteurs au Canada qui empruntent des armes à feu sans restrictions, entreront maintenant en vigueur le 1er janvier 2001.
- L'exigence visant à ce que les acheteurs d'arbalètes aient un permis a été reportée à une date qui sera déterminée ultérieurement.
Nouvelle approche au bulletin
Par suite de l'accroissement des coûts d'envoi, nous ne pourrons plus acheminer le bulletin du CCAF par courrier régulier, et ce à compter du 1er mars. Si vous receviez le bulletin par courrier électronique ou par télécopieur, vous continuerez de le recevoir de la même façon. Si vous recevez le bulletin par courrier régulier et que vous avez un numéro de télécopieur ou une adresse de courrier électronique, veuillez communiquer avec nous et nous pourrons commencer à vous le transmettre par voie électronique. Dans le futur, les abonnés qui n'ont pas de télécopieur ou de courrier électronique recevront un bulletin d'information trimestriel par courrier régulier. Le bulletin d'information comprendra les renseignements des trois derniers bulletins. Ce bulletin d'information remplacera aussi le Bulletin Point de mire, qui n'est plus publié.
Pour obtenir plus d'information ou une copie de la Loi sur les armes à feu, ses règlements ou autres publications du CCAF, communiquez avec nous au : 1 800 731-4000 (sans frais) site Web : www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca courrier électronique : canadian.firearms@justice.x400.gc.ca Aidez-nous à garder notre liste de distribution à jour. Si vous déménagez, faites nous part de votre nouvelle adresse (y compris l'adresse électronique et le numéro de télécopieur). Si vous voulez faire retirer votre nom de notre liste de distribution, veuillez nous fournir votre nom et adresse (y compris l'adresse électronique et le numéro de télécopieur) avec votre demande. Le présent bulletin est destiné à fournir des renseignements généraux seulement. Pour connaître les références juridiques, veuillez consulter la Loi sur les armes à feu et ses règlements. Les lois, règlements ou politiques des provinces, territoires ou des municipalités peuvent s'appliquer aussi.
5. Alberta Coaches & Officials Symposium
Friday, October 15 - Saturday, october 16, Greenwood Inn, Calgary. For more information regarding this event, please contact Korrine krokosh at (780) 422-8334. I have more information in the office concerning Alberta 3M NCCP Theory and Technical Courses. Or contact Jim Saito, Alberta's Provincial Coaching Certification Co-ordinator.
The Artic Archers Association President Greg Loftus sent some pictures of their outdoor facilities and a very good-looking brochure. Good work to Greg and the volunteers in Yellowknife! Way to go!
Don't forget Greg Durward and Al Wills have been working really hard to get the results up on the FCA website for you. Poor New Brunswick got socked in with a huge snow blizzard so they are running their national site this Sunday. Our two world shooters' scores have not been added yet, either and there are a few corrections yet to do. Anyway, have a look---it's GREAT!/Si vous voulez lire les resultats preliminaires de notre championnat en salle, contactez www.FCA.ca! C'est formidable!!!
See you in two weeks./A la prochaine
Kathy Millar :)
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