(Sherbrooke) Even if she deplores “that we have reached this point,” Minister Isabelle Charest is in favor of Hockey Quebec’s idea of equipping its officials with body cameras. She also wants to “give more teeth” to the Complaints Officer in a bill expected this winter.
“It doesn’t make any sense, these are parents who are trying hard to educate their children and who are not capable of behaving like people, it’s crazy that we’re at this point, actually,” lamented the Minister responsible for Sport, Recreation and the Outdoors upon her arrival Thursday at the pre-sessional caucus of the Coalition Avenir Québec, in Sherbrooke.
The Press reported Thursday the testimony of the chief referee for the minor hockey associations in Saint-Rémi and Napierville, on the South Shore, Gabriel Grégoire, who was hit in the face by the father of a young hockey player expelled from the match after a third penalty. The events occurred on January 13.
“Since the return of COVID, I don’t like to say that, but parents have gone crazy,” confided Mr. Grégoire in an interview, calling for increased security for his peers.
The reported facts caused Minister Charest to react strongly: “There is not an official who [va prendre une décision] to disgust a child. It doesn’t make sense for us to attack officials, to attack our coaches and for there to be bickering in our stands. It’s still just sport! »
Body cameras for referees
Isabelle Charest admits that she would “really prefer to find another solution” than providing referees with body cameras, as Hockey Quebec is considering doing, but adds in the same breath “that we are at the point” of examining this type of solutions.
“Whether it’s security [à l’aréna]whether it’s body cameras, there are lots of things that we have to consider because we’re here, the work has to be done,” she said.
The federation responsible for minor hockey at the provincial level will launch a pilot project by the start of the next season aimed at acquiring “a few devices”. Hockey Quebec hopes to dissuade parents and players from attacking referees.
“ [Le projet-pilote] could be interesting. They are in the early stages to see if it could be done, but obviously, it has costs and generates work,” noted the minister who emphasizes that awareness campaigns must be continued at the same time.
Protect “everyone”
Minister Isabelle Charest must table a bill this winter aimed at increasing safety in sports. Quebec particularly wants to better protect athletes from abusive coaches. There will also be a question of “giving more teeth” to the Complaints Officer, set up in 2020.
“From the moment the Independent Complaints Officer has more control over the recommendations, over the situations and his power to act, all that will ensure [rendre plus sécuritaire] the sporting world and that’s for everyone. The “I file a complaint” button is for everyone,” she said.
M’s billme Charest will come to revise the Safety in Sport Act. The tabling of the text was planned for last fall, but was postponed until the winter.
With Vincent Larin, The Press