Hockey Canada says an email from 2019 detailing its desire to manage its safe sport files doesn’t reflect the direction the organization currently wants to take.
The national hockey federation, in the limelight since the out-of-court settlement of an alleged sexual assault case in 2018 was revealed in May, reacted to a three-page email sent to the ministry’s offices sports.
In the email, of which The Canadian Press obtained a copy, Hockey Canada boasted of having “unparalleled” management of safe sport, while expressing doubts about an independent body for this type of file or the implementation a toll-free telephone line.
“Hockey Canada recognizes that we need to do more to foster a healthy and positive environment, whether on the ice or off it,” the organization said in a statement released Wednesday. That’s why we’re making important changes to the way complaints are received and investigated. This includes the creation of an independent complaints process and full membership in the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner. »
Sports Minister Pascale St-Onge launched BCIS in June so it could independently investigate cases of abuse in sports. It required sports federations to join BCIS by April 2023.
The weightlifting and volleyball federations are the only ones to have signed an agreement so far, although dozens of national federations are currently in negotiations.
The three-page email signed by Glen McCurdie, who was then Hockey Canada’s vice-president of risk management and insurance, detailed, among other things, how the emergency fund reserved for uninsurable cases, such as sexual assault.
“Hockey Canada’s 2019 reactions to safe sport consultations with the Office of the Minister of Science and Sport (Editor’s note: Kirsty Duncan at the time) do not align with our leadership’s current view on these topics. , the federation said in a statement. In fact, contrary to the letter (referenced by The Canadian Press), Hockey Canada was proactively involved in the implementation of the government’s safe sport assistance measures, including the establishment of third-party investigations independent.
“During this consultation, Hockey Canada also provided information on our sexual misconduct insurance policies. The use of the national emergency fund is also suspended and will be reviewed as part of the independent study on our governance practices. »
Ms. Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport from 2015 to 2019, says she did not receive this email from Hockey Canada dated October 29, 2019 and addressed to Michael Paramathasan, a former adviser to the ministry.
Allegations of sexual assault following a gala held in London, Ontario in 2018 affect eight unidentified players, including members of the national junior team who took part in the 2018 Worlds. members of the 2003 junior team also surfaced last July.
None of these allegations have been proven in court.
Hockey Canada had its federal funding frozen due to the organization’s handling of this file and its resolution. Several sponsors have withdrawn their support from the federation.