In the wake of sexual assault allegations involving players from the 2018 Canada Junior Team, the country’s 13 provincial and territorial hockey federations, including Hockey Quebec, are calling Hockey Canada to account. The payment of contributions to the organization is now linked to a series of conditions.
Posted at 5:04 p.m.
In a letter sent to all of its members on Thursday afternoon, the board of directors of Hockey Quebec, together with the 12 other provincial and territorial federations, demands the holding of a special meeting “as soon as possible with the President and Board of Directors of Hockey Canada.
The purpose of this meeting is to obtain “more information on the management of allegations of sexual assault” which occurred in 2018 in London, Ontario, after the annual Hockey Canada Foundation Gala. Eight hockey players, mostly from the junior national team, allegedly assaulted a heavily intoxicated young woman in a hotel room. The affair was not revealed to the public until last May, almost four years after the events. For more than two months, Hockey Canada has come under fire every day for its handling of the file.
“We were appalled and remain concerned like many of our members with regard to the alleged behavior as well as the management and decisions made by Hockey Canada, writes Hockey Quebec. What we are learning on the sidelines of this situation is contrary to the values that our sport must convey to its participants and those who supervise them. »
As an essential condition for the payment of dues from their respective members, the federations ask Hockey Canada to provide them with a written account of the deployment of the “Action plan to end the culture of silence and toxic behaviors in the world of hockey in Canada” announced by the organization on July 25.
The federations also want to “understand the role that the Hockey Canada Board of Directors played once they were made aware of the allegations” and to know what actions have been taken so far. For the past several weeks, Hockey Canada President and CEO Scott Smith has been the organization’s primary spokesperson. Calls for his resignation have multiplied, especially from all parties in the House of Commons. The CA and its president Michael Brind’Amour have, for their part, remained completely silent. The Press requested, on more than one occasion, an interview with Mr. Brind’Amour, a lawyer whose firm is located in Joliette. He never called back.
Ultimatum
The provincial and territorial federations are imposing an ultimatum on Hockey Canada: they are asking for a “written progress report detailing the actions taken and the steps taken as provided for in the Action Plan” before November 30; the first installment of membership dues to the organization is due the following day. A “progress report update” is also requested by March 31, 2023, the day before the second installment of the season. This update will “including, but not limited to,” respond to eight actions listed in the missive.
“We all have a role to play for the well-being of our players, as well as for all those who work in the hockey ecosystem. Our sport must do more, but above all do better. Hockey must be more than a question of play,” concludes the letter signed by Claude Fortin, chairman of the board of directors of Hockey Quebec. Mr. Fortin was not made available for interviews.
The alleged 2018 assault was investigated by London police as well as a law firm retained by Hockey Canada. Both investigations were closed in 2019 and 2020, respectively, but have since been reopened. Barely 10 players, out of the 19 present at the 2018 gala, had collaborated in the first survey commissioned by Hockey Canada.
The case never ended up in court. The victim filed a civil lawsuit on April 20 against the players in question, against Hockey Canada and against the Canadian Hockey League. An out-of-court settlement was reached a month later.
A survey of Globe and Mail revealed a few days ago that Hockey Canada had for years used a multi-million dollar special fund, partly funded by registrations paid by parents of players across the country, to compensate victims of sexual violence in outside the courts. Through this process and through other sources of funding, the federation has paid $12.5 million to 22 victims since 1989.
Ex-Supreme Court justice to assess Hockey Canada governance
In an effort to “regain the trust” of Canadians, Hockey Canada has tasked former Supreme Court Justice Thomas Cromwell with reviewing its governance. “Once completed, the review will lead to recommendations as to potential changes or improvements to the governance of the organization,” the national federation wrote in the statement. Mr. Cromwell will notably have to judge, under an “independent review”, if the leaders of Hockey Canada can remain in office. The former magistrate will be supported by lawyers Victoria Prince and Nadia Effendi, from the firm Borden Ladner Gervais.