NDP MP Peter Julian is demanding more accountability and transparency from Hockey Canada, and he made the request in a letter sent to CEO Scott Smith.
The letter, which The Canadian Press has obtained a copy of, was written after Julian obtained new information from a former member of the national federation’s board of directors – who requested anonymity – in connection with luxury perks offered to board members.
“Thousands of dollars are spent on board meetings, on luxury suites, on championship team rings given to board members,” Julian said. I’ve asked these questions in the hearings we’ve had so far, but I’ve been stonewalled by Hockey Canada. »
“Accountability is fundamental here. And I expect Hockey Canada to give Canadians answers. […] Many of these expenses would not be approved by the parents who enroll their girls and boys in hockey. »
In his letter, Julian recounts Smith’s testimony given during the July 27 parliamentary hearing, during which he stated “that the board and our members have sometimes received replica championship rings and [que] certain employees receive performance bonuses linked to the collection of medals”.
By exposing information about meals costing more than $5,000 for the executive committee, as well as $3,000 overnight stays “like in the presidential suite of the [Westin] Harbor Castle in downtown Toronto,” Julian wonders how many times such payments have been made.
Julian also notes that the championship rings given to council members would cost over $3,000 each and wants to get their exact price.
Parliament will resume its activities on September 19. Julian wants to see Hockey Canada again before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.
“It is up to the majority of the committee to decide on future hearings. […] I certainly hope that we will continue these hearings. »
Hockey Canada has been under immense pressure to be more transparent about its finances and how the federation is handling sexual assault allegations since TSN reported that a settlement has been reached with a woman who claims she was assaulted by eight players, including members of the 2018 national junior team.
The plaintiff claimed $3.55 million in damages.
The organization has since admitted to using a national emergency fund to settle nine cases of harassment or sexual assault since 1989, amounting to $7.6 million. This fund was established from the registration fees of young Canadian hockey players.
Hockey Canada also revealed allegations of sexual assault against members of the 2003 junior team last July.
Following these revelations, the Minister of Sports, Pascale St-Onge, froze funding for the organization, which also lost several major sponsors.