OTTAWA-
Hockey Canada board chairmen, past and present, played defense under questioning from the House of Commons over the hockey corps’ handling of the alleged sexual assaults and how the money was paid in the lawsuits. .
Former President Michael Brind’Amour and Interim President Andrea Skinner appeared via videoconference Tuesday before a Canadian Heritage standing committee in Ottawa.
Skinner was named interim chairman of the board after Brind’Amour resigned on August 6.
Canadian Sports Minister Pascale St-Onge and victims’ rights advocate Sheldon Kennedy are among those calling on Hockey Canada leaders to step down to change the organization’s culture.
“Toxic behavior exists throughout society,” Skinner said. “Suggesting that toxic behavior is somehow a problem specific to hockey, or scapegoating hockey as the centerpiece of toxic culture is, in my opinion, counterproductive to finding solutions and risks overlooking the change that needs to be made more broadly, to prevent and address toxic behavior, particularly against women.”
She and Brind’Amour were questioned as to why Hockey Canada president and CEO Scott Smith had not been fired or why an expensive public relations firm had been hired to do damage control.
“What we have heard is that there is a call for a new perspective. Hockey Canada has secured an outside perspective. We are taking steps to change the way we communicate,” Skinner said.
“Our board does not share the view that Hockey Canada should make further leadership changes at this time. As a board, we continue to support the CEO and management.”
Maintaining leadership stability during a tumultuous time for the organization, currently under governance review and with board elections around the corner in November, doesn’t come at the expense of culture change, Skinner said.
Edmonton Oilers president Bob Nicholson, who was president and CEO of Hockey Canada from 1998 to 2014, did not appear but was asked by the committee to appear at a future hearing.
Hockey Canada has been under the national microscope since May when it was revealed it had settled a lawsuit with a woman alleging that eight players on the 2018 junior men’s hockey team sexually assaulted her during a June gala event in London, Ontario, which year.
Among other revelations that followed was Hockey Canada’s admission that it relied on lower hockey membership dues to pay for uninsured liabilities, including allegations of sexual abuse.
Additionally, Halifax Police were asked to investigate an alleged sexual assault by members of the 2003 boys’ junior team.
The feds froze Hockey Canada’s funding and called its executives to the standing committee carpet on June 20 and July 26-27.
Smith, former chairman Tom Renney, chief financial officer Brian Cairo and former vice president of insurance and risk management Glen McCurdie were among those questioned. The chairmen of the board appeared before the committee for the first time.
It was revealed at the July hearings that Hockey Canada had paid $7.6 million in nine settlements related to sexual assault and sexual abuse claims dating back to 1989.
That figure does not include this year’s payment of an undisclosed sum to the London plaintiff. Most of that money went to those abused by junior hockey coach Graham James.
Faced with the loss of corporate sponsorships and public outcry, Hockey Canada has unveiled an action plan to address safe sport issues and says it will no longer use the “National Equity Fund” to resolve sexual assault claims.
Hockey Canada has also appointed former Supreme Court Justice Thomas Cromwell to conduct a review of its governance.
An interim report of recommendations is expected before the board’s annual general meeting in November.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on October 4, 2022.