(Toronto) Scotiabank announces it is suspending its sponsorship of Hockey Canada.
Posted at 10:13 a.m.
The longtime sponsor says this pause will last until the bank is satisfied that the right steps are being taken to improve the culture within the sport.
The move comes after the federal government’s decision to freeze public funding for the national sports organization last week in the wake of its handling of an alleged sexual assault and an out-of-court settlement.
Hockey Canada quietly settled a lawsuit last month after a woman alleged she was assaulted by eight members of the 2018 gold medal-winning junior national team at a gala and golf event there. four years in London, Ontario.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
Hockey Canada officials were called before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage last week.
In an open letter, Scotiabank President and CEO Brian J. Porter also said marketing and events scheduled for the world junior championships in August will be canceled and investment will be redirected to other programs.