Hockey Canada had previously informed the federal government as early as 2019 of the existence of a fund to settle “uninsured liabilities”, even as the organization prepared for a “significant potential lawsuit” for sexual assault.
In a three-page email sent to the office of the Minister of Sports, Hockey Canada then prided itself on its safe management of the sport, which was “unparalleled”, it was argued.
In the same breath, the organization expressed concerns about both a possible external investigation mechanism, by a third party, and even the new toll-free number offered to report possible cases of sexual assault.
The email, signed by Glen McCurdie, who was then vice-president of insurance and risk management at Hockey Canada, already referred to the national fund used for uninsured liabilities, including sexual assault claims, that the organization maintained since the “late 1990s”.
Mr. McCurdie’s three-page email was obtained by The Canadian Press.
The national sporting body has come under scrutiny since allegations of sexual assaults that were allegedly committed following a 2018 sports awards gala in London, Ont. These alleged assaults allegedly involved eight unidentified players, including members of that year’s World Junior Team. We also learned last May that Hockey Canada had reached an out-of-court settlement to cover up the case.
Group sexual assault allegations involving the 2003 World Junior Team also emerged last July.
None of these allegations have been proven in court.
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