Whether these moves will be enough to satisfy the general public, fans, the federal government and corporate sponsors remains to be seen. The sport’s national federation made a series of announcements in an open letter to Canadians published Thursday, including reopening 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 barred from all federation activities and programs effective immediately. The organization previously said it “strongly encouraged” players to participate in the investigation into the alleged incident at a 2018 Hockey Canada event, but did not make it mandatory. Hockey Canada CEO Scott Smith, who took over the role on July 1 and has held various jobs at the federation since 1995, testified on Parliament Hill last month that “12 or 13” of the team’s 19 players took pre-initial interview and incomplete survey completed in September 2020. “We know we have not done enough to address the actions of certain members of the 2018 junior national team or end the culture of toxic behavior within our game,” Hockey Canada wrote in its letter Thursday. “For this we apologize unreservedly. “We know we need to do more to address attitudes, on and off the ice, that clash 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 she was assaulted by eight players, including members of the country’s 2018 gold medal-winning junior team, at the event in London, Ont. None of the allegations have been proven in court. Smith, then the president of Hockey Canada, and outgoing CEO Tom Renney were grilled by MPs in Ottawa about the situation last month after news of the alleged assault and the settlement broke. Dissatisfied with what it heard from executives, the federal government subsequently cut off public funding for the national agency. Some companies also suspended sponsorships as they awaited next steps. “We recognize that many of the actions we are taking now should have been taken earlier and more quickly,” Hockey Canada’s letter said. “We own this and will do better to meet 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 assault and consent training. It will also conduct a full third-party review of the agency’s governance and is committed to fully signing off on the Office of the Integrity Commissioner, a new government agency with the power to independently investigate allegations of abuse and impose 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 the federal money would only be restored when officials produce the incomplete third-party report and the Office of the Integrity Commissioner signs off. Hockey Canada did not commit to sharing either the incomplete or the full report with the government in its letter Thursday. “We have heard from Canadians, players, their families, fans, sponsors and those affected by what happened in 2018,” the organization wrote. “We know you’re angry and frustrated at Hockey Canada — rightfully so.” Hockey Canada said once its investigation by the same Toronto law firm hired in 2018 is complete, it will be referred to “an independent judicial panel of current and former referees who will determine the appropriate consequences, which may include a lifetime ban from activity of Hockey Canada, 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 unnamed players. Hockey Canada said it learned of the incident the day after it allegedly happened, began investigating and notified London police. The organization previously said the woman declined to speak to both police — the force closed its investigation in February 2019 — and her law firm, but corrected the record when Smith and Renney testified in Ottawa. “Our understanding until very recently was that the young woman had chosen not to speak to the police,” said a June 20 statement attributed to Renney. “We subsequently learned through her attorney that she did in fact make a report to the police, who decided not to press charges.” Hockey Canada added that the woman decided not to identify the players. “We recognize the courage of the young woman involved and respect her decision to participate in the investigation in the way she chooses,” Hockey Canada wrote Thursday. Details of the settlement have not been made public, but Smith testified before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage in June that Hockey Canada found the funds and paid the full amount, adding that no government money was used. St-Onge ordered a check to make sure this was true. The commission is due to meet on July 26 and 27 to hear more witnesses. He also requested a redacted copy of the non-disclosure agreement related to the settlement along with a long list of Hockey Canada communications. The NHL is also investigating because some of the team’s players are now in the league. St-Onge said she learned of the incident and settlement in a call with Renney a few days before TSN’s original story. Hockey Canada said it notified Sport Canada of the situation in June 2018. The federation added on Thursday that it will release a detailed “Action Plan” that “outlines a wide range of steps we are taking within our organization and with our partners and stakeholders to promote and improve the culture” around the game. . “Changes to policies and procedures can happen with the stroke of a pen,” wrote Hockey Canada. “These changes are meaningless, however, without the same commitment to addressing toxic behavior that exists in many corners. “We know this change won’t happen overnight, but we’re committed to learning and working with our partners to do better.” Companies that have suspended or withdrawn funding from Hockey Canada or specific events include Scotiabank, Telus, Tim Hortons and Imperial Oil, under the 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 Hockey Canada reported three sexual-assault complaints in recent years, including the alleged incident in London, but would not discuss the other two before the commission last month. He added that there had been as many as two allegations of sexual misconduct each of the past five or six years. “Canadians have been loud and clear: you expect our national sport and those who represent it to work hard to earn your trust every day,” Hockey Canada wrote Thursday. “We have heard you and are committed to making the necessary changes so we can be the organization you expect us to be and restore your trust and confidence in us.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 14, 2022.
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