By Laurier Thériault
Editor's note: Some of the points made in the following text are taken from the Conseil du sport de Montréal's draft Equity, Diversity and Inclusion policy. These elements are also borrowed from other sources identified below.
Setting the scene
The month of June invites us to reflect on the place given to diversity in our community in general. I invite us to do so in our sector of activity more specifically. Let's face it, the sporting world is very much rooted in a traditional culture where there is relatively little room for diversity and difference. Men's sport is still very much in the majority, as evidenced by the media coverage of women's sport... and what can we say about adapted sport, which is hardly ever mentioned on the airwaves or in sports bulletins?
A few months ago, on a trip abroad, I saw a billboard in a community celebrating LES fiertés. The plural aspect of this event quickly got me thinking... What do we do with our pride?
When it comes to fairness
Equity is a principle and a process aimed at providing fair conditions for everyone who aspire to participate fully in society. To truly claim to be an active and healthy population, it is imperative that everyone has real access to sports and leisure activities, without constraints created by unfair practices or situations that exclude our fellow citizens who are marginalized because of their origins, disability or sexual orientation, for example.
Equity groups
Equity specialists point out that equity groups are drawn from communities that face major challenges to their full participation in society. Generally speaking, it is widely recognized that these communities can be penalized due to discrimination attached to age, ethnic origin, disability, disadvantaged economic situation, gender, sexual orientation, nationalitý, race, religion and transidentitarian status, etc.
We all owe it to ourselves to ensure that the sporting world is inclusive in its practices, so that each and every one of us can flourish in respect, dignity and recognition of human rights and freedoms, without distinction, exclusion or preference. In preparing these few lines, I asked members of my entourage who were younger than me. I wanted to know if things were finally changing. Some of the young people I interviewed belonged to one or other of the groups identified above. While they acknowledge that some progress has been made, it's clear that we still have a long way to go to create a totally healthy, safe environment in which to play sport. Disobliging comments, prejudices and biases are all too common on playgrounds, in changing rooms and in our sports and recreational facilities.
When will we see a totally sport-friendly environment? What if Montreal became the very first 100% sports-friendly city for everyone?
1.Compétence culture, "Politique équité, diversité, inclusion", May 2021, (accessed August 17, 2023)
2.Compétence culture, "Politique équité, diversité et inclusion", May 2021, (accessed August 17, 2023)
