(Ottawa) Splashed by allegations of serial sexual violence, Hockey Canada sought the advice of the prestigious public relations firm, Navigator, to restore its image.
NDP MP Peter Julian seemed dumbfounded when Pat McLaughlin, Senior Vice-President of Hockey Canada, revealed at the table of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage that the sports federation had paid $1.6 million so far to pay for Navigator services.
The organization called on the services of the Toronto firm last July, when its handling of alleged sexual assault cases was attracting criticism and its leaders were unable to put out the fire.
“Hockey Canada staff received direction in early July from the Board of Directors to contact Navigator […]. They started working with Hockey Canada on July 8, “said Mr. McLaughlin by videoconference, assuring that the exercise was not a” communication “.
Rather, it was a question of demonstrating “transparency”: the firm provided the board of directors with “advice on governance” and to “help us work with the media on a day-to-day basis”, the communications of Hockey Canada being “small”, he chained.
No public funds were used to pay off the bill, which reached 1.6 million, revealed Pat McLaughlin.
“One…One point six m…” dropped Peter Julian, searching for words.
He nevertheless immediately revived his interlocutor, asking him if the mandate entrusted to Navigator provided for a strategy aimed at criticizing journalists or journalistic coverage – which the leader of the federation denied.
MP Julian was referring to the appearance of Hockey Canada Acting Board Chair Andrea Skinner, who had essentially blamed journalists for the organization’s misfortunes, on October 4, before the same parliamentary committee.
A week later, the entire Hockey Canada Board of Directors and its CEO, Scott Smith, resigned en bloc, bowing to popular and political pressure, including that exerted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau himself. same.
A new board of directors will be in place on December 17th.