(Ottawa) Canadian Sports Minister Pascale St-Onge says she is “disgusted” and “discouraged” to learn of the details surrounding the gang rape of a young woman at the hands of eight junior hockey players after a gala of Hockey Canada in 2018.
Posted at 5:00 a.m.
The Minister indicated that she intends to analyze in depth the disturbing facts of this case and the exact role played by Hockey Canada, an organization funded by taxpayers’ money.
“When I read this story, I was absolutely horrified at the allegations that are being reported. I am also discouraged and disappointed to hear that stories of sexual assault still occur in the sports world,” the Minister told The Press during a telephone interview.
“We will take the time to analyze the facts. We want to know more about the role played by the organization. We are also evaluating the tools available to us to intervene in this type of file. It is nevertheless a file that is complex and worrisome. This is a case that usually ends up in civil or criminal courts. There was an out-of-court settlement which adds to the complexity of the case,” added Ms.me Saint Onge.
The Bloc calls for an investigation
The Bloc Québécois, for its part, demands the rapid holding of an independent investigation into the involvement of Hockey Canada, which reached an out-of-court settlement with the victim after she filed a lawsuit against this organization and the eight players who allegedly assaulted her.
“Shocked and revolted are still too weak words to describe the scandal of this story and the feeling that drives us. We call for an independent investigation to be launched quickly to shed light on Hockey Canada’s involvement. The government must ensure that not a single penny from the taxpayers was used to conclude this agreement,” indicated MP Sébastien Lemire, who is the Bloc’s spokesperson for sports.
This case was first reported by the TSN network last week. In the summer of 2018, after a Hockey Canada gala, eight junior hockey players allegedly sexually assaulted a young woman.
These players would have met the victim in a bar and would have bought him drinks. While she was in an advanced state of intoxication, one of the players allegedly took her to her hotel room. He would then have brought in seven other players. According to the alleged victim’s version in court documents, the eight players had sex with her without her consent. She allegedly tried to leave and was “manipulated, intimidated” into staying in the room.
Last April, the alleged victim filed a civil lawsuit against Hockey Canada, the Canadian Hockey League and the eight players (who are not named) for $3.5 million. A month later, Hockey Canada settled the matter out of court. However, the organization refuses to reveal the details of this agreement.