Hockey Canada says it is in the process of making changes.
Whether those moves will be enough to satisfy the general public, fans, the federal government and corporate sponsors remains to be seen.
The national under fire sports federation made a series of announcements in a open letter to canadians released Thursday, including the reopening of a third-party investigation into an alleged sexual assault involving members of the country’s 2018 world junior team.
Hockey Canada said participation in the investigation of the players in question is mandatory, adding that anyone who refuses will be banned from all federation activities and programs effective immediately.
The organization previously said it “strongly encouraged” players to participate in the investigation of the alleged incident that occurred at a Hockey Canada function in 2018, but did not make it mandatory.
Hockey Canada CEO Scott Smith, who took office on July 1 and has held various positions with the federation since 1995, testified on Parliament Hill last month that “12 or 13” of the team’s 19 players were interviewed. before the original and incomplete interview. investigation concluded in September 2020.
“We know we have not done enough to address the actions of some members of the 2018 Junior National Team or to end the culture of toxic behavior within our game,” Hockey Canada wrote in its letter Thursday. “For that we apologize unreservedly.
“We know we need to do more to address behaviors, on and off the ice, that conflict with what Canadians want hockey to be and that undermine the many good things the game brings to our country.”
Hockey Canada quietly settled a lawsuit in May after a woman claimed eight players, including members of the 2018 gold medal-winning junior team, assaulted her at an event in London, Ontario.
None of the accusations have been proven in court.
Smith, the then president of Hockey Canada, and outgoing chief executive Tom Renney were questioned by parliamentarians in Ottawa about the situation last month after news of the alleged assault and settlement broke.
Unhappy with what it heard from executives, the federal government subsequently stopped public funding for the national body. Several companies also suspended sponsorships while they waited for the next steps.
“We recognize that many of the actions we are taking now should have been taken sooner and more quickly,” the letter from Hockey Canada said. “We own that and we will do better to fulfill our responsibilities to Canadians.”
Hockey Canada said it will now require players, coaches, team staff and volunteers associated with its high-performance program to participate in mandatory sexual violence and consent training.
It will also undertake a full third-party review of organizational governance and commits to becoming a full signatory to the Office of the Integrity Commissioner, a new government agency with the power to independently investigate allegations of abuse and enforce sanctions.
Hockey Canada said it will also create an “independent and confidential complaints mechanism” to provide victims and survivors with tools and support to come forward.
Sports Minister Pascale St-Onge said last month that the federal money would only be reinstated once officials submitted the incomplete third-party report and became signatories to the Office of the Integrity Commissioner.
Hockey Canada did not commit to releasing the full or incomplete report to the government in its Thursday letter.
“We have heard from Canadians, players, their families, fans, sponsors and those affected by what occurred in 2018,” the organization wrote.
“We know he is angry and disappointed in Hockey Canada, and rightfully so.”
Hockey Canada said that once the same Toronto law firm hired in 2018 completes its investigation, it will be referred to “an independent adjudicative panel of current and former judges who will determine appropriate consequences, which may include a lifetime ban from Hockey Canada activity. , on and off the ice.”
The woman who made the assault allegation was seeking $3.55 million in damages from Hockey Canada, the Canadian Hockey League and the unidentified players.
Hockey Canada has said the woman refused to speak to both London police (the force closed its investigation in February 2019) and her law firm.
Hockey Canada added that the woman decided not to identify the players.
“We acknowledge the courage of the young woman involved and respect her decision to participate in the investigation in the way that she chooses,” Hockey Canada wrote.
Details of the deal have not been made public, but Smith testified before the Canadian Heritage Standing Committee in June that Hockey Canada provided the funds and paid the full sum, adding that no government money was used.
St-Onge ordered an audit to make sure that is the case.
The committee will meet on July 26 and 27 to hear more witnesses. It also requested a redacted copy of the confidentiality agreement related to the settlement along with a long list of communications from Hockey Canada.
The NHL is also conducting an investigation because some of the team’s players are now in the league.
St-Onge said he only found out about the incident and the settlement in a call with Renney days before TSN’s initial story. Hockey Canada said it informed Sport Canada of the situation in June 2018.
The federation added on Thursday that it will publish a detailed “Action Plan” that “outlines a wide range of steps we are taking within our organization, and with our partners and stakeholders, to advance and improve the culture” around the game.
“Changes in policies and procedures can occur with the stroke of a pen,” Hockey Canada wrote. “However, those changes are meaningless without an equal commitment to address the toxic behavior that exists in many corners.
“We know this change will not happen overnight, but we are committed to learning and working with our partners to make it better.”
Companies that have stopped or withdrawn funds from Hockey Canada or specific events include Scotiabank, Telus, Tim Hortons and Imperial Oil, under its Esso brand.
Hockey Canada received $14 million from Ottawa in 2020 and 2021, including $3.4 million in COVID-19 subsidies, according to government records.
Smith testified last month that Hockey Canada has reported three allegations of sexual assault in recent years, including the alleged incident in London, but did not discuss the other two in front of the committee last month. He added that there have been as many as two allegations of sexual misconduct each in the last five or six years.
“Canadians have been loud and clear: They expect our national sport and those who represent it to work hard to earn their trust every day,” Hockey Canada wrote Thursday.
“We have listened to you and are committed to making the necessary changes to enable us to be the organization you expect us to be and to restore your trust in us.”
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on July 14, 2022.