Sunday 9 October 2022 21:50
(Update : Sunday 9 October 2022. 22:46)
MONTREAL – The resignation of the interim president of the board of directors of Hockey Canada is a “good first step” according to the Federal Minister of Sport, Pascale St-Onge, who however calls for even more change within the national federation.
While on the set of the “Everybody’s Talking About It” program Sunday night on Radio-Canada, St-Onge reconsidered the decision of Andrea Skinner, who resigned on Saturday evening following Hockey’s handling of group rape allegations. . Canada.
The minister explained that, in his view, Ms. Skinner’s appearance before a parliamentary committee this week illustrated that she did not understand “the real problems within Hockey Canada and the problems at the level of their management.”
“So the fact that he leaves is a good thing, because what we need are leaders who understand that there is a toxic culture in the hockey world right now and that there has to be a lot of prevention, a lot of education and a many changes within the organization, ”said Minister St-Onge.
He also recognized that Hockey Canada’s leadership should have these goals in mind, rather than wanting to protect the federation’s image and reputation.
Hockey Canada has been in the spotlight since May, when it was revealed that an undisclosed amount was paid to a woman who claimed she was sexually assaulted by eight players – including junior national team members – after a 2018 gala in London. , Ont.
Sexual assault allegations involving the 2003 junior national team also surfaced in July. None of these charges have been proven in court.
It was also revealed that Hockey Canada maintains a fund partly fueled by smaller hockey registration dues to pay for uninsured liabilities, including claims for assault and sexual abuse.
The leaders of the federation, including its chief executive Scott Smith, have refused to step down, despite repeated requests from many elected officials.
“We continue to maintain the pressure”
Asked if the government could do more to push Hockey Canada’s heads towards the exit door, Minister St-Onge defended the actions already taken by Ottawa.
“The biggest penalty, I imposed it by suspending funding, then it also sent a clear message to sponsors and members of the public,” justified Ms St-Onge, who reiterated that she will continue to push for further changes.
This week, many of the organization’s partners withdrew their funding from men’s programs, while provincial federations, including Hockey Quebec, decided they would no longer transfer a portion of the players’ dues to Hockey Canada.
These decisions came when the Globe and Mail revealed the existence of a second fund used specifically to resolve sexual abuse issues.
On Sunday, the Minister once again asked for the help of the member associations to increase the pressure on Hockey Canada.
“The sports federations, and it is true, belong first of all to the members of the organization, it is they who have the right to vote, it is they who have the right to impose changes”, he recalled.
“For my part, I take responsibility for myself by suspending funding […] and I will not let go until there are changes in the organization. “
To regain its federal funding, Hockey Canada will need to meet several conditions, including membership of the Office of the Sports Integrity Commissioner, an independent body responsible for receiving complaints to prevent and combat abuse in sport.
The minister, however, stressed that the departure of CEO Scott Smith is not one of the conditions, because “the responsibility of hiring directors is that of the board of directors”.
He then invites members to “clean the house” so that new people, with new skills, find ways to train not only athletes, but “good citizens” as well.
