Team Nova Scotia Code of Conduct & Shared Commitments for Wellbeing

2025 Canada Summer Games 

1. Our Core Commitments and Assumptions

a. The Canada Games is meant to be a fun, empowering, challenging and exciting learning and growth experience for all members of Team Nova Scotia. The purpose of this Code is to create the conditions for our safety and wellbeing required to support our success at the Canada Games. It contains expectations, responsibilities, and obligations which will foster team culture grounded in a commitment to mutual care and concern, dignity, respect, and inclusion.

b. The Canada Games is a high intensity environment, and some Team Members might engage in risky behaviours, make mistakes, and/or experience circumstances that cause them harm. This Code is designed to help us respond in tailored and principled ways that build understanding and support wellbeing. The first priority of those implementing this Code will be to ensure that whoever is involved in a concerning situation is safe and ok. Then we will work responsively to create plans that support healthy behaviour and repair any harm caused.

c. Team Nova Scotia is taking a restorative approach to supporting safety and wellbeing for athletes during the Canada Games. A "Restorative Approach" will build the connections and culture needed to be safe, healthy and perform at our best at the Games. This Code outlines the commitments and actions expected of each member of Team Nova Scotia. It also outlines how we will respond when these commitments and expectations are not met and how will we work to understand and address impacts and harms and to meet the needs of those involved and affected to move forward in a good way.

d. Success at the Canada Games requires supportive relationships among teammates, coaches, and managers. The Games are fast-paced and time-limited and athletes will be training, competing and living together in residence. Ensuring the relational environment needed for safety, wellbeing and success will require intentional effort to quickly co-create and maintain respectful and inclusive ways of living and competing with one another to ensure that each team member gets the support and care they need. A restorative approach supports the active participation of all those who are involved and affected, along with those who can offer help and support to determine and address what is required to deal with a situation and make a plan for what is needed to move forward.

 2. Who does this Code apply to?

a. The Code applies to all Team Nova Scotia members including the Athletes, Coaches, Managers, Team Staff, and Mission Staff representing Nova Scotia at the 2025 Canada Summer Games.

3. Other Rules and Regulations:

All participants of Team Nova Scotia must also follow:

a. The Host Society's rules, Canada Games Council's rules, and those of their individual sport organization.

b. Fair Play, Drugs, Doping and Penalties: Team Nova Scotia strongly supports fair play in sport and, in every way, is against cheating including the use of substances and methods not permitted by National Sport Organizations and the Canadian Center for Ethics in Sport. The Canadian Anti-Doping Program rules and sanctions will be enforced by the Canadian Center for Ethics in Sport for any doping violation.

c. Criminal Activities: This Code, its policies, and procedures are not meant to replicate or replace the criminal legal system in Canada. This means that if a member of Team Nova Scotia does something which, on its face, might be a criminal offense, we will follow any legal reporting requirements and take steps to prevent that team member from endangering the wellbeing and safety of other team members.

Where other processes are involved in enforcing these other sets of rules, a restorative approach will still be taken to ensure any required support for the members impacted by those processes to meet their needs for participating in the Games in a safe and healthy way.

4. The Restorative Team and the Safety and Wellbeing Team ("SWT")

a. The Restorative Team is the group of restorative facilitators who:

i. are available to support mission staff to take a proactive approach and ensure the conditions for wellbeing and success

ii. will support team members (i.e., athletes, mission staff, coaches, and managers) to respond in a good way when issues arise.

b. Where a situation requires more support the Restorative Team will work together with those people listed below as the Safety and Wellbeing Team to adequately respond.

i.The SWT is comprised of:

(i)        The Chef de Mission or designate;

(ii) One member of Mission Staff who is free of conflict;

(iii)  At least 1 member of the Restorative Team.

ii.The SWT will have regular meetings but can and will be convened in special circumstances by any of its members to attend to issues or concerns which require a significant coordination of decision makers and resources outside of the Restorative Team.

5. Expectations Based on Our Shared Needs:

5.1  Rest & Performance Needs

For Team Nova Scotia to compete at our best, all members need adequate rest, proper preparation, and an environment conducive to peak performance. The following expectations support these needs:

a. Curfew and Quiet Hours:

i.Rest and relaxation are keys to proper recovery in preparation for high-quality competitive sport. In order to ensure all participants at the Canada Games get the rest they need there will be a curfew of 12 midnight for everyone sleeping in Athlete's Village.

ii.Before curfew, all lights in sleeping areas should be turned out at 11 PM and people should be quiet so that others can sleep and rest. Between 11pm and midnight if you are not ready to go to bed you can leave the sleeping area and spend the hour in a common room or television room. At 12 midnight, all athletes, coaches and managers should be in bed and quiet.

b. Timeliness and Attendance:

i.Being late for, or absent from, Team Nova Scotia activities or functions undermines our collective performance readiness. Chronic lateness disrespects other Team Members, significantly inconveniences tight logistical timelines, and can jeopardize the capacity of Canada Games participants to compete effectively. To avoid this, it may be helpful to plan to arrive to meetings at least 5 minutes before the scheduled time.

c. Using Drugs and Alcohol:

i.Because of the risk certain substances pose to young peoples’ development it is not safe for minors to use these products. Therefore, Team Members under the legal age to consume alcohol and cannabis should not do so at any time during the Games, during travel to or from the Games, or at any official Team Nova Scotia function.

ii.Even for those people who are legally allowed to consume drugs and alcohol, these substances have the potential to unpredictably change behaviour which can endanger them and those around them. They can also affect performance, recovery, judgment, and can impair athletic development as well as individual and collective success. For these reasons, no member should be consuming cannabis or alcohol inside the Athlete’s Village.  

iii.Intoxication from alcohol or cannabis can impair judgment, coordination, and composure, making it more difficult to compete effectively and uphold the shared commitments of Team Nova Scotia. As representatives of our province, we take pride in our conduct both on and off the field. Those who are legally permitted to consume alcohol or cannabis must do so responsibly, ensuring that their actions reflect the integrity, discipline, and commitment that define our team.

d. Competing with Integrity and the Competition Environment:

Although competition requires us to push ourselves to our physiological limits, it does not require us to stray beyond our ethical commitments to respect and care for others. The following are expectations which help remind us that competition does not mean abandoning our commitments to one another:

i.Any form of cheating, including the use of prohibited substances, undermines any sense of fairness in sport which is essential to meaningful competition. Members of Team Nova Scotia should value their pride in competing well over winning at the cost of their integrity.

ii.Activities or behaviour which disrupt competition and/or practice have a negative impact on performance and preparation. Team members should maintain a supportive environment during training and competition to make sure everyone can participate fully in the Games.

5.2  Team Nova Scotia Needs

Being part of Team Nova Scotia is an honor and a responsibility. Our province is proud of every member of Team Nova Scotia. This is a special opportunity to fostering and reflecting the values and commitments of the Team and our Province:

i.Uniform and Team Representation: Uniforms are more than just clothing—they unite us as a team and show our pride in representing Nova Scotia. They create a strong, shared identity and remind us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. Wearing the team uniform with respect reflects our shared commitments to one another and the pride we take those commitments. To ensure Team Nova Scotia Uniforms maintain this value and meaning, we encourage you to wear them in ways and at times when you are proud to represent Nova Scotia. This includes all official functions, events, and ceremonies, as requested by Mission Staff. 

b. Community Responsibility:

i. Given our shared commitments to care for one another, team members are responsible for maintaining clean shared spaces and responsibly consume available food to ensure everyone has access to adequate nutrition.

ii. In those living spaces we share with teams from other provinces and territories team members should conduct themselves in a manner that positively represents Nova Scotia.

iii.Disrespectful comments or behaviour which has a negative impact on another Canada Games participant's experience (this includes comments made on social media during the Canada Games) reflect poorly on our province and team.

5.3 Social Needs

Canada Games is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for athletes to connect, build relationships, and enjoy the full experience. To make sure everyone feels comfortable and safe remember that everyone needs personal space and privacy. The following expectations balance social needs with respect for others:

a. Social Spaces and Privacy:

i.Refrain from going to each other’s sleeping space and instead, use common areas to gather. Games Participants should have their rooms as retreat areas for personal time and recovery – check in with roommates to ensure you know what each other will need in order to perform at their best (e.g., rest times, cleanliness, etc.).

ii.Common areas are designated shared spaces where athletes can socialize while respecting that these areas are for everyone's enjoyment. Avoid gatherings in hallways, restrooms, and stairwells that can impact the quality of rest and enjoyment for others.

iii.Remember to be resepectful and sensitive to how other people set boundaries and choose to interact with others online.

b. Building Relationships:

i.The Games provide unique opportunities to meet people from across Canada. Team members are encouraged to participate in social activities while respecting all participants.

ii.Social interactions should be inclusive and respectful of diversity among all Games participants. This means making sure that each of us feel they are welcome and valued member of the team and inviting people to be part of that team whenever there is an opportunity.

c. Celebration, Disappointment, and Feedback:

i.Athletes need spaces to celebrate achievements and express disappointment. These expressions should occur in appropriate settings without disrupting others' experiences.

ii.Feedback should not be used to cause harm but to reflect care and opportunity for learning.

iii.When receiving feedback from one another, we should respond receptively and with openness because we know that the feedback is coming from a place of care and a genuine desire for mutual success and wellbeing.

iv.When we provide feedback to one another we will do so in a collaborative and genuine way focused on creating future success by learning from past mistakes and missteps. In order to be meaningful feedback we have to be attentive to the emotional readiness of the person we want to give the feedback to.

v.If we disagree with some feedback we’ve been provided or someone disagrees with us about our feedback, then that gives us an opportunity to reflect more deeply together on what’s underlying our disagreement and find an even better way of expressing ourselves.

5.4 Safety & Wellbeing Needs

Every team member has the right to feel physically and emotionally safe throughout the Games experience. These expectations and processes ensure everyone's wellbeing:

a. Bullying and Harassment: In order to protect one another and maintain a safe team environment at the Games we should all refrain from bullying, harassment, discrimination, violence, and sexualized violence. If you or someone you know is the target of any of this kind of conduct or even if you are just unsure about someone else’s behaviour, then you should reach out to Mission Staff or the Restorative Team to get help.

b.  Mental Health Support:

i.Sometimes we notice in ourselves or we notice in others being withdrawn, significantly moody, or seeming really depressed. It is important that if you notice these signs in yourself or others to reach out for help and get the necessary support from Mission Staff and/or the Restorative Team.

ii.If you notice concerning behaviors in yourself or others, reach out to Mission Staff, coaches, or the Restorative Team for support.

6. Process for Support and Response

6.1 Getting Help and Support:

a. We encourage you to reach out for support

i.If you are experiencing challenges, stress, or any personal concerns that are affecting your wellbeing;

ii.if you have been impacted by the actions of another team member, coach, or Mission Staff; or

iii.if you are concerned that someone else may be experiencing harm

b. To get the support you need reachout to the Chef de Mission, a trusted member of Mission Staff, a member of the Restorative Team, or any other trusted member of Team Nova Scotia.

6.2 When Seeking Support for Yourself

a. What to Expect:

i.The person you reach out to will listen to your concerns and help you explore options for support.

ii.You will have control over what next steps, if any, you want to take.

iii.Any conversations about your personal wellbeing will be approached with care and respect for your privacy.

iv.We will offer support in a way that aligns with your needs, whether that means connecting you to additional resources or simply providing a space to talk.

6.3 When Seeking Help for Issues Involving Others

a. What to Expect:

i.The person you speak with will listen to your concerns and help you determine the best way to move forward. It is important to remember that not all concerns require formal processes.

ii.We will focus on finding ways to foster safety and wellbeing for everyone involved.

iii.If specific responses are necessary to ensure safety and wellbeing, we will be transparent about next steps while ensuring that all responses are fair and balanced.

iv.We will approach concerns in a way that prioritizes care, accountability, and meaningful steps forward.

6.4  When Someone Has Raised Concerns About Your Behaviour

a. What to expect:

i.Check-in: When we check-in with you, you might feel upset, defensive, and worried about fairness which are all common responses to something like this. We will take care to deliver this in-person so you can ask the questions most pertinent at the time.

ii.Figuring out what happened: During this conversation, you might feel anxious or stressed. We encourage you to remember that this is your chance to tell us how you feel and what you need and why you might have made the choices you made.

iii.Making plans for next steps: Push past the desire to simply say that you are sorry and commit to the opportunity to rejoin the Canada Games and have fun with your teammates. It's ok to feel a little bit uncomfortable and unsure at this stage. We will be there to support you and ensure that the people making these decisions are respectful and considerate.

iv.Letting people know: It is natural to be nervous about protecting your privacy. We understand that privacy in these situations is important to safety as well as ensuring people show up in honest and meaningful ways. We will make sure that your privacy is protected while remaining necessarily transparent to make sure the plans are implemented in a good way.

b. What will happen:

i.Check-in: The Chef de Mission or another member of the SWT with whom you have a positive relationship will check-in with you regarding the concerns that have been raised about your behaviour. This does not mean you are in trouble. We will simply be checking-in to see if you need anything while we figure out why someone is concerned.

(a) Interim Measures: In some situations, it might be appropriate and necessary to temporarily separate you from the other members of the team while we figure out what happened and make sure everyone is safe.

ii.Figuring out what happened: We will make sure that you have the space and opportunity to openly and honestly discuss what happened and provide your understanding what might have happened that generated concerns about your behaviour. The goal is not to blame you or make you feel ashamed. It is to figure out what do next and to do that we will need your help in figuring out what happened. Part of determining what happened will be learning how or if anyone was harmed, so we will also be engaging with other people who were affected directly or indirectly.

(a) You are welcome to bring someone along to support you during this discussion if you want. It should be an adult if possible. If you don't have an adult you want to bring, we will make sure someone is there to support you during this discussion.

(b) You may choose not to participate in this discussion in which case we will move forward without your input but will provide you information about next steps

iii.Making plans for next steps: Once we have a clear sense of what happened we will begin making plans for next steps. We will build a plan that pays attention to the conditions required to shift behaviour and the circumstances in meaningful ways. Where necessary this is about showing others you are sorry with your actions not just your words. It's also not about punishing you or making you suffer consequences. We will build a plan with you and other people who care about your wellbeing, so that we can all move forward together.

(a) In rare cases, we might be required to send a participant home because: they are no longer capable or willing to remain committed to the shared commitments and values of Team Nova Scotia; or because Team Nova Scotia does not have the capacity to meet the needs required to support their continued participation at the Games. This decision will not be taken lightly and will only be exercised in order to address or resolve the issues or needs of the parties involved and not as a punishment. In these cases, the team member will be sent home at their own expense and their Provincial Sport Organization will be billed for all travel costs incurred. The SWT will make best efforts to see that the person being sent home is supported on their journey home and that someone from their support network is waiting for them when they get back to Halifax.

iv. Letting people know: In order for these plans to succeed we will need to communicate the plan to other people who are in a position to support it and, where necessary, allocate resources for it to be supported by others. This means there will be a group of people who know and understand some of the details of the plan we created, but we will only include people at this stage who absolutely need to know and will protect your privacy and the privacy of others involved as much as possible.

7. Appeals Process

a. When there is a concern about the restorative process or when someone does not participate fully or willingly as required by this Code, decisions may need to be made to ensure safety and wellbeing. If you disagree with a process or the outcome by which you are directly affected and/or restricts you from participating in the Games then you can ask to speak to the appeals committee which will be constituted by Jennifer Llewellyn and Jason Hansford-Smith or their designates.

b. To request an appeal, you should notify (by phone or email) the Chef de Mission or a member of the Restorative Team as quickly as possible after the outcome of a restorative process. Your appeal request will be responded to in a timely manner appropriate to the circumstances.

TEAM NOVA SCOTIA MEMBER COMMITMENT

By signing this affirmation, I acknowledge and commit to upholding the values and expectations of Team Nova Scotia. I understand that the Canada Games is a unique and high-intensity experience, and I want contribute to creating an environment where all team members feel supported, respected, and valued.

• I will consider the impact of my actions on others and work to build strong, supportive relationships.

• I understand that mistakes may happen, and I will take responsibility for my actions while engaging in efforts to repair harm and move forward in a good way.

• I will contribute to a positive team culture based on dignity, respect, inclusion, and mutual care to ensure a safe and empowering experience for all.

• I recognize that success at the Games depends on teamwork and shared responsibility, and I will actively foster a respectful and supportive environment.