Government Announces Legislation To Protect Coaches And Sport Organizations From COVID-19 Liability

A new bill, the Supporting Ontario’s Recovery Act, if passed, will provide legal protection to coaches, minor sports organizations, and volunteers against liability related to COVID-19.

The OHF made a statement Tuesday regarding the legislation.

“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 in the news release.

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

The legislation would protect minor sports participants from liability, as long as coaches, volunteers, and organizations are following COVID-19 public health guidelines and laws.