Discipline & Complaints Policy
DEFINITIONS
1. The following terms have these meanings in this Policy:
a) “Complainant” – The party alleging an infraction.
b) “Days” – Days irrespective of weekend and holidays.
c) “Individual” – All categories of membership defined in the Canada Basketball Bylaws, as well as all individuals employed by or engaged in activities with Canada Basketball including but not limited to, directors, officers, committee members, athletes, coaches, officials, referees, managers, volunteers, and administrators.
d) “Respondent” – The alleged infracting party.
Purpose
2. Membership in Canada Basketball, as well as participation in its activities, brings with it many benefits and privileges. At the same time, Members and participants are expected to fulfill certain responsibilities and obligations including, but not limited to, complying with the Canada Basketball’s Constitution, Bylaws, policies, procedures, rules and regulations, and Code of Conduct and Ethics. Irresponsible behavior by Members can result in severe damage to the integrity of Canada Basketball. Conduct that violates these values may be subject to sanctions pursuant to this policy.
Application of this Policy
3. This Policy applies to all Individuals as defined in the definitions.
4. This Policy only applies to discipline matters that may arise during the course of Canada Basketball’s business, activities and events, including but not limited to, competitions, practices, training camps, social media, travel associated with Canada Basketball activities, and any meetings.
5. Discipline matters and complaints arising within the business, activities or events organized by entities other than Canada Basketball will be dealt with pursuant to the policies of these other entities unless accepted by Canada Basketball at its sole discretion, or such discipline matters and complaints that adversely affect relationships within Canada Basketball’s work and sport environment or is detrimental to the image and reputation of Canada Basketball.
Reporting a Complaint
6. Any Individual may report to Canada Basketball’s head office any complaint of an infraction by an Individual. Such a complaint must be signed and in writing, and must be filed within fourteen (14) days of the alleged incident. Anonymous complaints may be accepted upon the sole discretion of Canada Basketball.
7. A Complainant wishing to file a complaint beyond the fourteen (14) days must provide a written statement giving reasons for an exemption to this limitation. The decision to accept, or not accept, the notice of complaint outside the fourteen (14) day period will be at the sole discretion of the Case Manager. This decision may not be appealed.
Mediation
8. Before any complaint proceeds to the formal stage, the dispute will be referred first to Canada Basketball’s Dispute Resolution Officer for review, with the objective of resolving the dispute via mediation.
Case Manager
9. Should the review by the Dispute Resolution Officer not resolve the dispute, Canada Basketball will appoint a Case Manager to oversee management and administration of complaints submitted in accordance with this policy and such appointment is not appealable. The Case Manager is not required to be a member of Canada Basketball. The Case Manager has an overall responsibility to ensure procedural fairness is respected at all times in this Policy, and to implement this Policy in a timely manner. More specifically, the Case Manager has a responsibility to:
a) Determine whether the complaint is frivolous or vexatious and within the jurisdiction of this Policy. If the Case Manager determines the complaint is frivolous or vexatious or outside the jurisdiction of this Policy, the complaint will be dismissed immediately. The Case Manager’s decision to the acceptance or dismissal of the complaint may not be appealed.
b) Determine if the complaint is a minor or major infraction.
c) Appoint the Panel, if necessary, in accordance with this Policy.
d) Determine the format of the hearing.
e) Coordinate all administrative aspects of the complaint.
f) Provide administrative assistance and logistical support to the Panel as required.
g) Provide any other service or support that may be necessary to ensure a fair and timely proceeding.
10. The Case Manager will inform the parties if the incident is to be dealt with as a minor infraction or major infraction and the matter will be dealt with according to the applicable section relating to the minor or major infraction.
11. This Policy does not prevent an appropriate person having authority from taking immediate, informal or corrective action in response to behavior that constitutes either a minor or major infraction. Further sanctions may be applied in accordance with the procedures set out in this Policy.
Minor Infractions
12. Minor infractions are single incidents of failure to achieve the expected standards of conduct that generally do not result in harm to others, Canada Basketball or to the sport of basketball. Examples of minor infractions include, but are not limited to, a single incident of:
a) Unsportsmanlike conduct.
b) Disrespectful comments or behaviour directed towards others.
c) Non-compliance with the bylaws, policies, procedures, rules, regulations and directives of Canada Basketball.
13. All disciplinary situations involving minor infractions will be dealt with by the appropriate person having authority over the situation and the individual involved (the person in authority may include, but is not restricted to, staff, officials, coaches, organizers, or Canada Basketball decision makers).
14. Procedures for dealing with minor infractions will be informal as compared to those for major infractions and will be determined at the discretion of the person responsible for discipline of such infractions (as noted above in point 13). This is provided that the Respondent being disciplined is told the nature of the infraction and has an opportunity to provide information concerning the incident.
15. Penalties for minor infractions, which may be applied singly or in combination, include the following:
a) Verbal or written warning.
b) Verbal or written apology.
c) Service or other voluntary contribution to Canada Basketball.
d) Removal of certain privileges of membership for a designated period of time.
e) Suspension from the current competition, activity or event.
f) Any other sanction considered appropriate for the offense.
16. Minor infractions that result in discipline will be recorded and maintained by Canada Basketball. Repeat minor infractions may result in further such incidents being considered a major infraction.
Major Infractions
17. Major infractions are instances of failing to achieve the expected standards of conduct that result, or have the potential to result in harm to other persons, to Canada Basketball or to the sport of basketball.
18. Examples of major infractions include, but are not limited to:
a) Repeated Minor Infractions.
b) Intentionally damaging Canada Basketball property or improperly handling Canada Basketball monies.
c) Incidents of physical abuse.
d) Pranks, jokes or other activities that endanger the safety of others, including hazing.
e) Disregard for the bylaws, policies, rules, regulations and directives of Canada Basketball.
f) Conduct that intentionally damages the image, credibility or reputation of Canada Basketball.
g) Behavior that constitutes harassment, sexual harassment or sexual misconduct.
h) Abusive use of alcohol, any use or possession of alcohol by minors, use or possession of illicit drugs and narcotics.
19. Major infractions will be decided using the disciplinary procedures set out in this policy, except where a dispute resolution procedure contained within a contract or other formal written agreement takes precedence.
20. Major infractions occurring within competition may be dealt with immediately, if necessary, by an appropriate person having authority. In such situations, disciplinary sanctions will be for the duration of the competition, training, activity or event only. Further sanctions may be applied but only after review of the matter in accordance with the procedures set out in this policy. This review does not replace the appeal provisions of this Policy.
Procedure for Major Infraction Hearing
21. If the Case Manager is satisfied that the complaint is a major infraction, the Case Manager will establish a Panel consisting of one (1) to three (3) Adjudicators to hear the complaint.
22. The Case Manager will determine the format of the hearing, which may involve an oral hearing in person, an oral hearing by telephone/online communication, a hearing based on written submissions or a combination of these methods. The hearing will be governed by the procedures that the Case Manager and the Panel deem appropriate in the circumstances, provided that:
a) The hearing will be held within the appropriate timeline determined by the Case Manager.
b) The Parties will be given appropriate notice of the day, time and place of the hearing.
c) Copies of any written documents which the parties wish to have the Panel consider will be provided to all Parties in advance of the hearing in accordance with the appropriate timeline.
d) Both Parties may be accompanied by a representative or adviser, including legal counsel.
e) The Panel may request that any other individual participate and give evidence at the hearing.
f) If a decision in the appeal may affect another party to the extent that the other party would have recourse to an appeal in their own right under this Policy, that party will become a party to the appeal in question and will be bound by its outcome.
g) The hearing will be conducted in the official language of choice of the Complainant.
h) Decisions will be by majority vote.
Decision
23. After hearing the matter, the Panel will determine whether an infraction has occurred and if so what appropriate sanction will be imposed. The Panel's written decision, with reasons, will be distributed to all parties, the Case Manager and Canada Basketball within fourteen (14) days of the conclusion of the hearing. The decision will be considered a matter of public record unless decided otherwise by the Panel.
24. Where the Respondent acknowledges the facts of the incident, he or she may waive the hearing, in which case the Panel will determine the appropriate disciplinary sanction. The Panel may hold a hearing for the purpose of determining an appropriate sanction.
25. If the Respondent chooses not to participate in the hearing, the hearing will proceed in any event.
26. In fulfilling its duties, the Panel may obtain independent advice.
Sanctions
27. The Panel may apply the following disciplinary sanctions singly or in combination, for major infractions:
a) Verbal or written warning.
b) Verbal or written apology.
c) Service or other voluntary contribution to Canada Basketball.
d) Removal of certain privileges of membership.
e) Suspension from certain Canada Basketball teams, events and/or activities.
f) Suspension from all Canada Basketball activities for a designated period of time.
g) Expulsion from Canada Basketball.
h) Other sanctions as may be considered appropriate for the offence.
28. Unless the Panel decides otherwise, any disciplinary sanctions will commence immediately. Failure to comply with a sanction as determined by the Panel will result in automatic suspension of membership in Canada Basketball until such time as compliance occurs.
29. A written record will be maintained by Canada Basketball at their head office for major infractions that result in a sanction.
Serious Infractions
30. Canada Basketball may determine that an alleged incident is of such seriousness as to warrant suspension of the Respondent pending a hearing and a decision of the Panel.
Criminal Convictions
31. An Individual’s conviction for any of the following Criminal Code offenses will be deemed a major infraction under this Policy and will result in expulsion from Canada Basketball and/or removal from Canada Basketball competitions, programs, activities and events upon the sole discretion of Canada Basketball:
a) Any sexual offences. or
b) Any offence involving trafficking of illegal drugs.
Timelines
32. If the circumstances of the complaint are such that this policy will not allow a timely conclusion, or if the circumstances of the complaint are such the complaint cannot be concluded within the timelines dictated in this Policy, the Panel may direct that these timelines be revised.
Confidentiality
33. The discipline and complaints process is confidential involving only the Parties, the Case Manager and the Panel. Once initiated and until a decision is released, none of the Parties will disclose confidential information relating to the discipline or complaint to any person not involved in the proceedings.
Appeals Procedure
34. The decision of the Panel may be appealed in accordance with Canada Basketball’s Appeal Policy.
APPROVAL
35. This policy was approved by the Canada Basketball Board of Directors on the 25th day of May, 2013.
