Hockey Canada said there were more than 900 documented incidents or alleged acts of on-ice discrimination across all ages and categories during the 2021-22 season.
These alleged acts include verbal insults, vulgar gestures and acts of intimidation.
A total of 512 penalties were reportedly called by referees for discrimination, and 415 allegations were reportedly investigated after the fact. Of the 512 penalties called, 61% related to sexual orientation or sexual identity, ahead of ethnic origin (18%) and disabilities (11%).
More than half of those incidents – 55% – occurred at under-18s, and 76% at competitive levels.
Of the group, 96% of these penalties were awarded to players, and 99% of them were male.
Of the allegations that eluded adjudicators and required investigation, 47% of alleged acts of discrimination related to ethnicity, while 40% targeted a participant’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
The age group under 18 was the most represented of the group with 37% of incidents, against 15% among those under 15, and 9% among those under 13. In 22% of reported cases, the age group was not specified.
Hockey Canada data also revealed that 37% of allegations that went unnoticed by on-ice referees resulted in “no concrete sanction”. On the other hand, 18% led to suspensions, 17% to written warnings, 13% to awareness-raising operations and 10% to multiple or “various” sanctions. Five percent are still under investigation.
Hockey Canada added a new section to its Code of Conduct in August 2021 to address abuse in an organization that had nearly 520,000 registered players last season.
The 14-page document released on Friday focuses on the application of Regulation 11.4, which specifically targets discrimination, particularly in connection with ethnic origin, language, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic characteristics. and the disabilities of the participants.
These data were revealed in the first report in the history of the organization that oversees hockey in the country on this issue, and is part of its desire to establish an “action plan” to fight against the toxic culture in sport. These initiatives were launched following the scandals that involved the members of the Junior Team Canada of 2003 and 2018. None of these allegations have so far been submitted to the judicial process.
The organization added that the information released on Friday does not take into account incidents that occurred off the ice, which will be analyzed starting this season by the Office of the Sports Integrity Commissioner or a new independent committee responsible for dealing with these complaints.
Pick up the broken pots
Hockey Canada, which has said it wants to be more transparent following a cascade of scandals that have angered the public and politicians, is trying to pick up the slate following a spring, summer and of a catastrophic fall during which its funding was notably frozen by the federal government. Many sponsors have also severed ties with the organization over its handling of sexual assault allegations and revelations surrounding payments to alleged victims.
A series of disastrous hearings before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, during which current and former leaders of Hockey Canada were riddled with questions on these issues, also led to the wholesale resignation of the Board of Directors and the departure of President and COO Scott Smith in October.
At the same time, former Supreme Court Justice Thomas Cromwell has launched an independent investigation into governance within Hockey Canada. The 221-page report concluded that the sports federation was “at a crossroads” and that it should be accountable and overseen by an independent entity.
A vote of members from the provinces and territories governed by Hockey Canada to appoint the new board of directors and the new president is scheduled to take place on December 17.