Athletics Canada announced today the appointment of Ontario Justice Sharman S. Bondy and internationally recognized expert practitioner and speaker on conflict resolution Frank Fowlie to the position of Alternate Commissioners. Bondy and Fowlie will work alongside Athletics Canada’s Commissioner, the Honorable Hugh L. Fraser, to form the Commissioner’s Office.
The first of its kind in Canadian amateur sport, the Commissioner’s Office was established to make informed decisions in four areas of Athletics Canada operations – carding, selection, eligibility and discipline. Athletics Canada’s Board of Directors vests the Commissioner’s Office to be the autonomous authority in these areas and to resolve disputes within Athletics Canada efficiently, effectively and fairly.
Since it commenced operation, the Athletics Canada Commissioner’s Office has dealt with 24 athlete appeals and seven Code of Conduct complaints. Only one decision has been overturned, and it just happened to be the first decision made by the office.
“I’m extremely pleased that these two outstanding individuals will be joining the Commissioner’s Office,” said the Honorable Hugh L. Fraser. “Justice Bondy is a highly respected jurist with a deep knowledge of Canada’s high performance sport system, while Mr. Fowlie is a world recognized expert in alternate dispute resolution. Their significant professional accomplishments, along with their extensive prior involvement with dispute resolution in the sport context, will greatly enhance the ability of the Commissioner’s Office to carry out its mandate. I look forward to working with Sharman and Frank.”
Fraser will continue his duties as Acting Commissioner, however, he will rely on Bondy and Fowlie when complex cases arise, a conflict of interest exists, one’s primary language is better suited, in the event that multiple cases are ongoing or if he’s unavailable.
Currently, a full-time Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice, Bondy will be retiring from full-time service in June 2018. Bondy’s legal career and time as a judge has provided her with the ability to study and apply the law in many diverse areas, conduct fair hearings, emphasize the facts and issues at hand and reach a conclusion. An avid amateur sports fan and mother to an elite wrestler, Justice Bondy brings considerable knowledge on athlete carding, eligibility, team selection and discipline to the role of Alternate Commissioner.
Fowlie is recognized as a leading authority on Ombudsman evaluation and online dispute resolution. A chartered mediator, arbitrator and accredited peace professional, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Commissioner’s Office, not to mention experience with athletes and multi-sport games serving as the International Olympic Committee’s Chef de Mission for the Sydney Olympic Games. Fowlie was also appointed to the position of Director, Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada, by Canada’s Minister of State (Sport) in 2009, a position that he served in until 2015.
For more information on Athletics Canada’s Commissioner’s Office, including a more detailed explanation of the current policies and procedures, please click here.
