Summary of Disciplinary Decisions of Boxing Ontario
The following is a list of individuals who have been suspended, expelled, or have had their participation in Boxing Ontario activities otherwise restricted pursuant to proceedings governed by Boxing Ontario’s Discipline and Complaints Policy, through Boxing Canada’s process or through the Abuse-Free Sport (AFS) process.
This list includes members who have been sanctioned and / or are currently ineligible to be involved in sport. The list is not a historical record of current or past members who have been suspended or expelled in the past, rather it is a list of current or past members who are currently serving sanctions in effect as of January 2024.
When a suspension has been served and any additional required measures have been fulfilled, the member will be removed from the list two years after the last requirement of their sanction is completed.
Complainant and Date of Decision
November 5, 2024
Name(s) of Respondent
Spartan Striking & Michael Fitzpatrick
Nature of Allegation and Violations Found
Allegations of Criminal Code violations including continuing on and running an unsanctioned event.
S. 83 of the Criminal Code prohibits pre-arranged amateur combative sport unless the sport has been held with the permission of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario or a body designated by him or her. Boxing Ontario is the Provincial Sport Organization designated by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario to provide permission for amateur boxing contests through Order in Council 1087.
Boxing Ontario Code of Conduct violation allegations brought under the Boxing Ontario Policies & Procedures Manual, (January 2022 version) Section 1: Membership Policy:
No Boxing Ontario member is permitted to participate in any unsanctioned combat events in any capacity, including engaging in a prize fight; advising, encouraging, or promoting a prize fight; or being present at a prize fight as an aid, second, physician, official, backer, or reporter.
Given the nature of the allegations Boxing Ontario has exercised Section 17 of the Discipline and Complaints Policy (2023):
Provisional Measures Section 17
…BO may determine that an alleged incident is of such seriousness as to warrant the imposition of a Provisional Suspension of a Respondent pending completion of an investigation, assessment and/investigation by the criminal process, the hearing, or a decision of the External Discipline Panel.
Outcome/Sanction
Immediate Suspension.
Respondent must not engage in any Boxing Ontario business, activities, further sanctioning, and events until further notice.
Complainant and Date of Decision
August 8, 2024
Name(s) of Respondent
Michael Williamson
Nature of Allegation and Violations Found
Failing to follow the Bylaws and policies of the organization.
(See Code of Conduct Complaints from October 27, 2023 and December 8, 2023 below for reference).
Outcome/Sanction
Registrant status of Respondent terminated immediately.
Respondent must not engage in any Boxing Ontario business, activities, and events. Respondent cannot attend Boxing Ontario sanctioned events or participate in any Boxing Ontario activities in any official capacity, including as a coach, official, participant, board member or administrator. Boxing Ontario activities and sanctioned events include, but are not limited to, competitions, training sessions and practices at the national, provincial and club level.
Respondent is ineligible to re-apply for membership for a period of fifteen years.
Complainant and Date of Decision
April 4, 2024
Name(s) of Respondent
Ajaz Khan
Nature of Allegation and Violations Found
Allegations of Criminal Code violations including sexual assault and exploitation involving a minor.
Given the nature of the allegations, Boxing Ontario has exercised Section 17 of the Discipline and Complaints Policy (2023)
Provisional Measures Section 17
…BO may determine that an alleged incident is of such seriousness as to warrant the imposition of a Suspension with presumptive penalty of Permanent Ineligibility
Outcome/Sanction
Immediate Suspension.
Respondent must not engage in any Boxing Ontario business, activities, and events until further notice.
Suspension of a Respondent pending completion of an investigation, assessment and/investigation by the criminal process and internal Discipline.
Complainant and Date of Decision
Redacted
Dec. 8, 2023
Name(s) of Respondent
Michael Williamson
Nature of Allegation and Violations Found
Code of Conduct Complaint was brought under: Code of Conduct (Mar. 2017-2022 version).
Violations as follows:
Coach-Athlete Sexual Relations: Section 9(o)
9. ..coaches have many additional responsibilities including
(o) Not engage in a sexual relationship with an athlete under 18 years old, or an intimate or sexual relationship with an athlete over the age of 18 if the coach is in a position of power, trust, or authority over the athlete
Unfair / Manipulative Control over Access to Training: Section 7(a)(v), 7(d)(iv), 9(g),(n), (p)
7. Individuals have a responsibility to:
a) Maintain and enhance the dignity and self-esteem of the Association members and other individuals by:
v. Consistently treating individuals fairly and reasonably
7. d) Refrain from any behaviour that constitutes sexual harassment, where sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual comments and sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, or conduct of a sexual nature. Types of behaviour that constitute sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:
iv. Inquiries or comments about a person’s sex life
Section 9 – Coaches Additional Responsibilities
9. In addition to section 7 (above), coaches have many additional responsibilities. The coach-athlete relationship is a privileged one and plays a critical role in the personal, sport, and athletic development of the athlete. Coaches must understand and respect the inherent power imbalance that exists in this relationship and must be extremely careful not to abuse it, consciously or unconsciously. Coaches will:
g) Act in the best interest of the athlete’s development as a whole person
(n) Recognize the power inherent in the position of coach and respect and promote the rights of all participants in sport. This is accomplished by establishing and following procedures for confidentiality (right to privacy), informed participation, and fair and reasonable treatment. Coaches have a special responsibility to respect and promote the rights of participants who are in a vulnerable or dependent position and less able to protect their own rights
Harassing Name Calling: Section 7(a)(i) 7(b)(a) 7(b)(c) 7(b)(e) 7(d)(iii)
7. Individuals have a responsibility to:
a) Maintain and enhance the dignity and self-esteem of the Association members and other individuals by:
i. Demonstrating respect to individuals regardless of body type, physical characteristics, athletic ability, age, ancestry, colour, race, citizenship, ethnic origin, place of origin, creed, disability, family status, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, sex, and sexual orientation
b) Refrain from any behaviour that constitutes harassment. Types of behaviour that constitute harassment include, but are not limited to:
a. Written or verbal abuse, threats, or outbursts
c. Unwelcome remarks, jokes, comments, innuendo, or taunts
e. Condescending or patronizing behaviour which is intended to undermine self-esteem, diminish performance or adversely affect working conditions
d) Refrain from any behaviour that constitutes sexual harassment…
iii. Sexually degrading words used to describe a person
Infliction of Emotional Harm
Coach Responsibilities
9. Coaches will:
(q) Refrain from conduct that causes physical or emotional harm to Individuals.
Conduct Inconsistent with Board Member Responsibilities: Section 8(b), (m)
8. In addition to section 7 (above), Association’s Directors and Committee Members will have additional responsibilities to:
b) Act with honesty and integrity and conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the nature and responsibilities of the Association’s business and the maintenance of Individuals’ confidence
m) Conform to the bylaws and policies approved by Association
Outcome/Sanction
Suspended from all Boxing Ontario events and activities in any capacity, for a period of 2 years until December 8, 2025.
Respondent must complete assigned training during suspension: Coaching Association of Canada training modules: Creating a Positive Sport Environment and Modelling Healthy Relationships
Complainant and Date of Decision
Kaitlyn Clark
Oct. 27, 2023
Name(s) of Respondent
Jill Perry
Nature of Allegation and Violations Found
Code of Conduct Complaint was brought under:
- Code of Conduct in the 2013 Boxing Ontario Policies and Procedures Manual
- Code of Conduct in the 2017 Boxing Ontario Policies and Procedures Manual
Violations as follows:
Respondent’s conduct with respect to methods violates the Safe Weight Management Policy in the 2017 Boxing Ontario Policies and Procedures Manual and thus the 2017 Code.
Respondent did not comply with the responsibility to focus comments or criticism appropriately and to consistently demonstrate the spirit of sportsmanship, sports leadership and ethical conduct and practices.
Respondent did not have appropriate regard for the risks associated with the improper consumption and use of prescription medicine in weight management. Coaches must at all times “avoid compromising the present and future health of athletes by communicating and cooperating with sport medicine professionals in the diagnosis, treatment and management of athletes’ medical and psychological problems.”
Outcome/Sanction
The Respondent received a formal written reprimand from Boxing Ontario noting the Panel’s findings that the Respondent violated the 2013 and 2017 Code.
Suspended from holding the leading or most senior role, in any athlete training or selection camp, coaching development program or similar event under the purview of Boxing Ontario for a period of two years. Respondent may hold a contributing or more junior role in camps or development programs and is permitted to coach or corner athletes in Boxing Ontario events.
The Respondent shall successfully complete education courses on coach athlete relations and boundaries within 12 months of the date of decision.
The Respondent shall be educated on Safe Weight Management Policy within 12 months of the date of decision.
Complainant and Date of Decision
Redacted
Dec 20, 2023
Name(s) of Respondent
Caitlin Trenholme
Nature of Allegation and Violations Found
Code of Conduct Complaint under 2023 Discipline and Complaints Policy
Violations:
Code of Conduct and Ethics (version dated April 23, 2023)
10. All Organizational Participants have a responsibility to:
a) Refrain from any behaviour that constitutes Maltreatment and Prohibited Behaviour under this Code, the UCCMS and other conduct policies established by BO.
b) Maintain and enhance the dignity and self-esteem of other Organizational Participants by:
i. Treating each other with the highest standards of respect and integrity;
ii. Focusing comments or criticism appropriately and avoiding public criticism of Athletes, coaches, officials, organizers, volunteers, employees, or other Organizational Participants;
April 2023 Social Media Policy
3. All conduct and behaviour occurring on Social Media must comply with the Code of Conduct and Ethics.
4. Organizational Participants may not engage in the following behaviour on Social Media:
a) Posting a disrespectful, hateful, harmful, disparaging, or insulting comment on a social medium.
d) Any instance of cyber-bullying or cyber-harassment where incidents of cyber-bullying and cyber-harassment can include but are not limited to the following conduct on any social medium, via text message, or via email: regular insults, negative comments, vexatious behaviour, pranks or jokes, threats, posing as another person, spreading rumours or lies, or other harmful behaviour.
Outcome/Sanction
Respondent must complete two Coaching Association of Canada training modules: Creating a Positive Sport Environment and Modelling Healthy Relationships.
Complainant and Date of Decision
Boxing Ontario
Oct. 27, 2023
Name(s) of Respondent
Michael Williamson
Nature of Allegation and Violations Found
Code of Conduct Complaint was brought under.
Discipline and Complaints Policy: January 2022 version
Code of Conduct Violation – (4 Violations )
7. Individuals have a responsibility to:
a) Maintain and enhance the dignity and self-esteem of the Association members and other individuals by:
ii. Focusing comments or criticism appropriately and avoiding public criticism of Individual or the Association
iii. Consistently demonstrating the spirit of sportsmanship, sport leadership, and ethical conduct
v. Consistently treating individuals fairly and reasonably
Board/Committee Members
8. In addition to section 7 (above), Association’s Directors and Committee Members will have additional responsibilities to:
i. Respect the confidentiality appropriate to issues of a sensitive nature
Social Media Policy Violation – (5 Violations)
B) Standard of Conduct i) Messaging: Boxing Ontario endorses a high standard of behavior when using social media and does not condone any messages that:
- May constitute harassment, discrimination, cyber bullying or violence;
- Are hurtful, malicious, degrading or otherwise offensive to an individual or group of individuals;
- Refer to controversial or potentially inflammatory subjects including, but not limited to, politics, sex, and religion;
- Are damaging to our brand and/or relationships with our stakeholders and funding partners;
- Divulge confidential or proprietary information that belongs to Boxing Ontario;
Outcome/Sanction
Written warning that any further violation may result in severe sanctions.
On probation for 2 years where any further violation of the Complaints and Discipline Policy and Code of Conduct will result in increased penalty sanctions.
The following is a list of Complaints filed and dismissed:
Complainant and Date of Decision
Michael Williamson
Oct. 2, 2023
Name(s) of Respondent
Vince MacDonald & Boxing ON BOD
Nature of Allegation
BO Discipline and Complaints Policy: April 22, 2023 version
Alleged violation of publication bans by notifying relevant Boxing Ontario personnel of Complainant’s interim suspension.
Outcome/Sanction
Dismissed by Discipline Panel
Complainant and Date of Decision
Fred Ten Eyck
May 25, 2023
Name(s) of Respondent
Vince MacDonald & Boxing ON BOD
Nature of Allegation
Code of Conduct and Harassment Policy (January 2022)
Alleged violation of code of conduct in an email response
Outcome/Sanction
Dismissed by case manager ITP
Complainant and Date of Decision
Fred Ten Eyck
Jan. 25, 2023
Name(s) of Respondent
Jenn Ogg & Boxing ON BOD
Nature of Allegation
Discipline and Complaints Policy: January 2022 version
Request for a Court order to have Boxing ON produce a report with language the complainant specifies, on a motion made at an AGM.
Outcome/Sanction
Dismissed
Complainant and Date of Decision
Michael Williamson
July 7, 2023
Name(s) of Respondent
Jennifer Huggins, Jenn Ogg, and Jay Corcoran
Nature of Allegation
Discipline and Complaints Policy: January 2022 version
Complainant made claims of conflict-of-interest issues regarding legal representation of Boxing Ontario in legal matters.
Outcome/Sanction
Dismissed by case manager ITP
Court Proceedings Involving Boxing Ontario
Complainant and Date of Decision
Michael Williamson
September 9, 2024
Name(s) of Respondent
Boxing Ontario Board of Directors
Nature of Allegation
Ontario Superior Court
Court File no. CV-23-00695405
Request for Boxing Ontario to conduct a new election to replace the one held in October 2022.
Outcome/Sanction
Justice deemed that the complainant abandoned his application.
The court ordered both the Complainant and Respondent to be responsible for their own legal expenses.
Complainant and Date of Decision
Fred Ten Eyck
Nov. 2, 2023
Name(s) of Respondent
Boxing Ontario Board of Directors
Nature of Allegation
Ontario Superior Court
Court File no. CV-23-00000210-0000
Request for a Court order to have Boxing ON produce a report with language the complainant specifies, on a motion made at an AGM.
Outcome/Sanction
Court found in favour of Boxing Ontario. Findings: the report was already provided, and Complainant was not entitled to further information.
Cost order for Complainant to pay Boxing ON – $10,000 in court costs