Justin Trudeau wants to see change at Hockey Canada.
As the federation continues to deal with the fallout from its handling of an alleged sexual assault and an out-of-court settlement, the prime minister said on Thursday that the national sports body “must do an enormous amount” to regain the trust of Canadians.
“We need to see Hockey Canada show a level of transparency, accountability (and) understanding of the situation they’re facing,” Trudeau told reporters at an event in Elmsdale, Nova Scotia. of this organization, and willful blindness to something that other organizations have faced – struggled with – but made good decisions.
“Contrary to what Hockey Canada does.
The federation has come under fire since announcing in May that a woman alleged eight players – including members of the 2018 world junior team – sexually assaulted her following a gala in London, in Ontario four years ago.
The woman was seeking more than $3.5 million in damages from Hockey Canada, the Canadian Hockey League and Players Anonymous.
Details of the settlement are not public and none of the allegations have been proven in court.
It also emerged this week that Hockey Canada is using its so-called “national equity fund” – which is funded by membership dues collected across the country – to settle sexual assault claims.
“Their behavior over the past few years, and indeed, over the past few months, has not been befitting an organization that embodies so many hopes and dreams for young Canadians – boys and girls – for sport. , for a healthy life,” said Trudeau. .
“So many parents entrust their children to this organization and the organizations that grow out of it.”
Hockey Canada, which said in an open letter last week that it was reopening an incomplete third-party investigation into the London incident and committed to a governance review, announced Wednesday that, effective today, the practice of using this fund for sexual misconduct claims will be stopped.
Trudeau, who also lambasted the organization’s leadership earlier this week, called the move a step in the right direction, but later added, “I think Hockey Canada will have to do a lot more before Canadian parents like I did begin to trust them. .”
Details of the fund, which were not listed in the organization’s annual reports, are included in a July 2021 affidavit signed by Glen McCurdie, who was Hockey’s vice president of insurance and risk management at the time. Canada, in a lawsuit brought by an injured player in Ontario.
McCurdie’s affidavit stated that “Hockey Canada maintains a reserve in a separate account to pay all uninsured debts as they arise.” He goes on to say that “uninsured liabilities include potential claims for past sexual abuse.”
Meanwhile, London police ordered an internal review into the force’s investigation into the alleged sexual assault, which they closed in February 2019.
The organization had its federal funding cut and corporate sponsorships suspended after news of the alleged assault and settlement, which was first reported by TSN, first emerged.
Hockey Canada CEO Scott Smith and his predecessor Tom Renney, who both testified before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage in Ottawa last month, will return to Parliament Hill next week as MPs continue to pressure the federation under fire for answers.
Smith, Renney, McCurdie and Canadian Hockey League president Dan MacKenzie are scheduled to testify Wednesday with the commissioners of the country’s three major junior leagues.
Barry Lorenzetti, president and CEO of insurance company BFL Canada, and Hockey Canada Foundation president Dave Andrews are also scheduled to testify before the committee on Wednesday.
Danielle Robitaille of Henein Hutchison LLP — the law firm that conducted an incomplete third-party investigation for Hockey Canada — is scheduled to appear Tuesday with Sports Minister Pascal St-Onge and officials from Sport Canada and the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Smith, Renney, McCurdie, MacKenzie, Courteau, Branch, Robison and Andrews will appear before the committee under subpoena.
Smith, who is also president of Hockey Canada, succeeded the retired Renney as CEO on July 1.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on July 21, 2022.
“Internet evangelist. Extreme communicator. Subtly charming alcohol aficionado. Typical tv geek.”