The thirteen provincial hockey federations, including Hockey Quebec, have asked to meet with the president and board of directors of Hockey Canada. This request comes in the wake of allegations of sexual assault involving players of the 2018 Canada Junior Team.
Posted at 5:04 p.m.
As an essential condition for the payment of dues by their respective members, the thirteen federations are also asking the Canadian federation to provide them with a written report on the “Action plan to end the culture of silence and toxic behavior in the world of Hockey in Canada” announced on July 25 and on its deployment.
In a letter sent to all of its members on Thursday afternoon, the board of directors of Hockey Quebec explains that the thirteen provincial federations have filed a joint request for the holding of an extraordinary meeting “as soon as possible”. .
The purpose of said meeting is to obtain “more information on the handling of sexual assault allegations” that occurred in 2018 in London, Ont., after the annual Hockey Canada Foundation Gala. Remember that eight hockey players, mostly from the national junior team, allegedly attacked a young woman who was heavily intoxicated in a hotel room. The case has been at the heart of sports news for several weeks.
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.
“We were appalled and remain concerned like many of our members with regard to the alleged behavior as well as the management and decisions taken by Hockey Canada, write the members of the board of directors of 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. »
More details on the Action Plan launched in recent weeks by Hockey Canada will also be required during the meeting. The federations wish to know, among other things, the process behind the creation and content of the plan, the composition of the Special Committee, the selection of the independent firm for the governance review, the people involved and accountable for the realization of the plan as well as the timelines and measurement tools for the actions announced.
With regard to accountability, the provincial federations are asking for it to be delivered by November 2022, i.e. before the first payment of dues, scheduled for November 1, is made.er december. An update to the written progress report must also be provided by March 31, 2023, before the second installment.
“Through these actions, we want to continue to offer our members and all those who wish to take part in our sport a healthy, positive, safe, inclusive and accessible environment, as well as programs focused on learning and fun,” writes Hockey Quebec.
“We also believe that communication, transparency and accountability will be essential to maintain our members’ confidence in Hockey Quebec, to restore that of families in Hockey Canada and for a lasting change in the culture of hockey,” adds she.