PHOTO BO AMSTRUP, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
“Instead of counting gold medals on the ice, Hockey Canada and the hockey world must instead focus on changing the toxic culture there,” writes our columnist.
It took far too long, but CEO Scott Smith and Hockey Canada Board members eventually left their positions.
Posted yesterday at 5:00 a.m.
Good riddance.
It took a clean slate at Hockey Canada’s senior leadership to begin to effect real culture change.
But that’s not the end of this story.
On the contrary, the work has only just begun.
Instead of counting the gold medals on the ice, Hockey Canada and the hockey world must instead focus on changing the toxic culture there.
Three files have priority, and will have to be carried out simultaneously.
First, you have to know what happened in this London hotel room in the summer of 2018. The allegations are horrific: a gang rape by eight players from the 2018 Canada Junior Team.
London police have reopened their criminal investigation, and we’ll see if any charges are filed. Criminal justice will take its course.
However, the world of hockey cannot hide behind criminal justice and its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt (one does not lay criminal charges on mere suspicion, and fortunately, for that matter).
Playing on Canada’s national team or the National Hockey League is not a right. It is a privilege. These athletes must be held to a higher standard than compliance with the Criminal Code. NHL rules prohibit any “behaviour detrimental” to the sport. If the NHL investigation concludes (based on the “50% + 1” evidence) that a sexual assault has occurred, the perpetrators will be subject to severe punishment by the NHL. Suspended without pay for several seasons. The conclusions of the independent investigations are expected in the coming months. They must be made public, protecting the identity of the alleged victim.
Second, we need to change the culture of hockey, especially at the elite level. We must be able to practice any sport without fear of suffering abuse (sexual assault, harassment, discrimination, racism).
Victims must be able to report abuse, and organizations must take these allegations seriously and deal with them independently (through the new Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner).
Abuse isn’t a one-sport thing, but the toxic culture is particularly strong in elite men’s hockey. This is why all hockey federations must make this shift now for a safe sport. Hockey Quebec will soon announce new measures to fight against mistreatment in sport. Anyone who has ever set foot in an arena knows that this is a long term challenge.
Third, we also need to change the “corporate culture” at Hockey Canada, notorious for its lack of transparency and lack of accountability.
Hockey Canada is a “country club” led in practice for decades by its all-powerful CEO. The CA, made up of volunteers, did not exercise its watchdog role, which is essential for an organization managing tens of millions. The Hockey Canada Foundation alone has approximately $22 million in assets.
Governance at Hockey Canada is deficient. Accountability, superficial – especially on the financial level. What other not-for-profit organization gives rings worth $3,000 to its volunteer board members when Canada wins a gold medal? Amicable rule, from a fund financed by the contributions of all young hockey players, a civil lawsuit for gang rape without insisting too much on knowing what happened?
It is time for the provincial federations to put some order in this. Hockey Quebec must show leadership in this matter. To propose new administrators (the federations will elect the new CA in December) as well as to demand major reforms on governance.
We’ve seen where a volunteer board of directors under an all-powerful CEO has gotten us. You need a competent, diversified CA, capable of holding people accountable. You need a real professional CA, even if it means paying him modestly.
To really change the culture of impunity and opacity at Hockey Canada.
Not just until the next scandal.