Former Liberal minister Hélène David draws a parallel between the violent initiations that shook the world of junior hockey and those that upset his mandate as head of the Ministry of Higher Education. She sees an opportunity to reopen the law and strengthen the accountability of sports leagues.
In interview with The dutythe ex-elected Marguerite-Bourgeoys says she is “discouraged” and “outraged” since the publication in early February of a judgment from the Superior Court of Ontario which reports initiation ceremonies punctuated by degrading sexual acts , intimidation and torture in Canadian junior hockey.
” [Ce sont] activities where one becomes sadistic. I think the word is not too strong. It’s appalling, and that’s what we have to break as a cycle, ”she says on the other end of the line.
The simplest thing would be to have an organization responsible for applying a series of framework measures, which would have a complaints service and which would also have the mandate to investigate
When she became Minister of Higher Education in 2016, Hélène David had to manage a series of sexual abuses that occurred during reception activities in universities. Called to comment on a particular case associated with the University of Montreal, she then said: “We have just started from scratch. »
“We did not go to another call. What we hear in sports associations is of the same order and even worse than worse, she says today. I think there is a wake up call, a cultural and sporting awakening. »
In 2017, Mr.me David had tabled the bill “aimed at preventing and combating sexual violence in higher education establishments”. The legislative text, which has since become law, requires CEGEPs and universities to present a policy containing “rules that govern social or hospitality activities”.
“Thinking very hard and very fast”
The former Liberal minister urges the government of François Legault to “think very hard and very quickly about what it can do and how far it can go” in order to hold private leagues like the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League accountable. .
The Minister responsible for Sport, Isabelle Charest, intends to review the Sports Safety Act this spring. Among other things, she wants to give more tools to the Complaints Officer, which she set up in 2021. This independent body has received nearly 500 complaints since its creation.
According to expert in law and feminist studies Rachel Chagnon, this is where we must act first. “In this type of circumstance, the simplest thing would be to have an organization responsible for applying a series of framework measures, which would have a complaints department and which would also have the mandate to carry out investigations”, says this professor in the Department of Legal Sciences at the University of Quebec in Montreal.
“A bit like the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse can do it,” she adds.
Despite the highlighting of cases of violence in hockey, the Centers for assistance to victims of criminal acts have not noted an increase in reports in Quebec in the last few days. “But it is very likely that there are many people who live silently with the abuse they have suffered and who have had the reflex to repress their emotions,” says communications coordinator Marie-Christine Villeneuve.
In the context, the organization appeals to the victims. “There is professional help out there, and that can change everything. »