The resignation of Hockey Canada’s board of directors and president and CEO was unanimously welcomed on Tuesday. Here are some reactions collected by The Press.
Posted yesterday at 11:54 p.m.
A strong message for the victims
Bauer, Tim Hortons, Nike, Canadian Tire and company forced the hand of the leaders of Hockey Canada, but they also sent a strong message to the victims of sexual assault, believes Louise Riendeau, co-responsible for political files of the Regroupement des maisons pour femmes victims of domestic violence.
It is support for victims. It shows us that society is changing, that people are concerned about violence against women.
Louise Riendeau, co-responsible for political issues at the Regroupement des centers pour femmes victims de violence conjugale
Mme Riendeau also welcomes the speech of the Minister of Sports, Pascale St-Onge, who has demanded changes in the national hockey organization in recent months.
“The Minister intervened strongly, which led the sponsors to think that it was perhaps not a good idea to be associated with people who try to cover up sexual assaults. The Minister played a role and pushed society to think about these issues,” adds Ms.me Riendeau.
“Even if the victims have experienced tragedies that are not yet recognized by Hockey Canada and by the aggressors, it still sends the message that society is concerned about what these women have experienced. »
Loss of legitimacy
“As much as we say that it takes a community to raise a child, it took the community to say ‘enough’! says Danièle Sauvageau, who won the gold medal as coach of the women’s ice hockey team at the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Daniele Sauvageau
The sports analyst laments that Hockey Canada did not take seriously the allegations of a woman who claims to have been sexually assaulted by players of Canada’s junior team in June 2018. “If they had admitted that there was a problem, if they had put in place internal investigation mechanisms, if they had done education, if they had put in place a code of conduct, ”she lists. “But it took four years and not only did it take four years, but it had to be made public before they acted. This is where they lost their legitimacy, in my opinion. »
The coach highlights the work of Hockey Quebec (and its general manager Jocelyn Thibault), which was the first federation to suspend the payment of $3 per registration to Hockey Canada. The decision had a snowball effect. She also insists on not falling into generalizations. “Hockey Canada is also about everyone who plays hockey across the country. »
Members salute departures
Hockey Quebec does not intend to return $3 per registration to Hockey Canada despite the resignation of the board of directors and the CEO. At least not in the short term. “The $3, when we withdrew it, was conditional on accountability. It does not change, “said Marie-Joëlle Desaulniers, director of communications for Hockey Quebec.
In a press release released during the day on Tuesday, the provincial organization said it had taken note of the resignations en bloc.
This outcome, which seemed inevitable to us, will allow the organization to take a fresh look at the challenges to be met.
Hockey Quebec
“Now, it is essential to ensure that future directors take concrete steps to effect in-depth changes in terms of respect, integrity and culture. We will be active in proposing solutions, attentive to the next steps, and we will represent the interests of our players, parents, volunteers and participants. »
Hockey federations in other provinces like Ontario and New Brunswick also applauded the departure of Hockey Canada’s management.
money talks
“Rarely have I seen so much pressure on an organization,” says Bernard Motulsky, professor in the department of public and social communication at the University of Quebec in Montreal. “Hockey Canada had pressure from the political side, but also pressure from sponsors who were pulling out one after the other. »
He says it was the withdrawal of sponsors – and more importantly their money – that forced Hockey Canada’s hand on Tuesday. “They sent the signal that it couldn’t go on anymore. »
Mr. Motulsky says that the future leaders of Hockey Canada will face enormous challenges. “It dragged on, but it’s now that the serious things begin. You have to replace the top people and completely change the culture of this organization,” he said.