THE NDA FILES
Voices you CAN hear.
Conversations about NDAs, the people affected by them, and the movement to end the silence.
Welcome to The NDA Files, the podcast from Can’t Buy My Silence Canada.
Every two weeks, we bring you conversations and stories exploring the misuse of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), the people affected by them, and the urgent need for change.
NDAs have a legitimate purpose to protect trade secrets - but not “trauma secrets.” But when they are misused to conceal sexual violence, harassment, discrimination, and other forms of misconduct, they can silence people, protect wrongdoing, and prevent transparency and accountability.
Through personal stories, expert perspectives, and conversations from different sectors, The NDA Files explores what happens when silence is written into an agreement—and what it takes to change that.
One voice can start a conversation. Together, we can end the silence.
NEWEST EPISODE
Episode 2: NDAs and Safe Sport: choosing silencing over safety
Kim Shore is a former gymnast who co-founded Gymnasts for Change, campaigning for an end to abuse in gymnastics in Canada and internationally.
Kim was among many individuals and sports organizations - including Hockey Canada, Canada Soccer and Gymnastics Canada - who testified before the Heritage Committee when it investigated abuse in sports 2023-24. The Committee produced the following report:
Safe Sport in Canada : Report of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, June 2024
In its final recommendation, the report recommends that the Government of Canada legislate to ban the use of NDAs for athletes who have reported maltreatment and require NSOs (national sports organizations) that receive federal funding to abide by this ban.
No legislation has yet been introduced.
For more information:
Follow Kim Shore on LinkedIn
Sport Integrity Canada Reporting: File a safe sport report online or call the support line at 1-866-971-2777.
LATEST EPISODES
Episode 1: Behind the Music: NDAs, Power & Silence
In this episode, Esther Hwang, a violinist and member of the LOVUS String Quartet, and Lusiana Lukman, a pianist, composer and director of the Classical Music Conservatory, join Julie for a conversation about their personal experiences of sexual assault inside the music industry by trusted and prestigious musicians, and the dismissive approach taken when they reported the assaults to management. Why are sexual assaults - often followed by NDAs - so commonplace within the music industry?
For more information:
Read Esther Hwang’s Story in the Globe and Mail
Read Lusiana Lukman’s Story in The Star
Read the statement about the Royal Conservatory of Music investigation and the petition
Learn more about Dear Lara Documentary
Learn more about Safe Music
JOIN THE MOVEMENT AND ACT NOW
DONATE
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SIGN PETITON
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READ OUR NEWSLETERS
Read back over our newsletters from the past few years to see the progress we’ve made, and updates about the campaign.
SHARE STORY
Our campaign relies on brave individuals sharing their experience so others see the damage that NDAs cause.
SIGN PLEDGE
Create cultural change by asking your University/employer/ supplier to sign the voluntary pledge to no longer use NDAs to hide misconduct.
CONTACT MP
Writing to your MP is the best way to help us change legislation.