Hockey Canada has unveiled its action plan to address systemic issues in the sport on the eve of the start of a second round of parliamentary hearings into the body’s handling of an alleged sexual assault in 2018.
The plan, which is built around six core elements, includes the implementation of a system for tracking and reporting abuse complaints, with the results published annually.
Hockey Canada also says it will implement advanced character screening for all high performance programs and require that failure to follow the organization’s code of conduct or refusal to participate in an investigation may result in a ban on life.
The organization is also committed to adopting the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (version 6.0) and to obtain signatory status from the Office of the Commissioner for Integrity in Sport (BCIS).
“Our message to Canadians is: We are committed to taking strong action and making the changes necessary to enable us to be an organization that lives up to your expectations and to restore your trust in us,” reads on page 2 of the plan unveiled Monday noon.
“Culture change won’t happen overnight, but we believe this plan marks a significant step forward. »
To carry out this plan, the organization’s board of directors is working to form a special committee of independent experts to oversee its deployment and guide its implementation. This committee will be named by September 15th.
These measures are in addition to those announced in an open letter from the body published on July 14, including the relaunch of an independent investigation into the alleged sexual assault involving members of the 2018 national junior team.
Hockey Canada has come under fire since it was learned in May that the federation had settled a lawsuit brought by a woman who alleges she was raped while intoxicated by eight unidentified players. identified, including members of the 2018 National Junior Team, following a gala in London, Ont., four years ago.
The woman was seeking more than $3.5 million in damages from Hockey Canada, the Canadian Hockey League and the players, but details of the settlement are not public.
A second sexual assault allegation, this time involving the 2003 junior team, surfaced last week.
Halifax Regional Police confirmed on Friday that an investigation is underway into the alleged assault at the 2003 Junior World Championships. Shortly after, London police announced that they is relaunching its investigation into an incident that allegedly involves members of the 2018 team.
The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage will hear new testimony on Tuesday and Wednesday on these cases.