While MP's focused their questions on how to protect athletes and the general public, CHL president Dan MacKenzie showed interest in protecting the institution of hockey, and to not “damage the reputation of millions of players, coaches…” in Canada. During Wednesday’s testimony, Smith refused to use the word “systemic” when describing issues in hockey.Īlso included in Wednesday’s hearing were the presidents of the Canadian Hockey League, and its member leagues, the OHL, WHL, and QMJHL. Smith and Hockey Canada released a highly criticized “Action Plan” aiming to address “systemic issues in hockey.” At the same time, as pointed out by MP Michael Coteau during the Committee hearing, Hockey Canada’s open letter to Canadians stated that issues exist in “corners of the game," contradicting their plan. And if our board of directors, or as I said earlier, the governance review by a third party suggests that I'm not the right person to do it - my background's not right, my experience is not right, my care and concern for young boys and girls is not right - then I'm prepared to accept that.” And I'm more than prepared to be held accountable to that. “I'd like a period of time to be able to do that. “I'd like the opportunity to show Canadians what we have done,” said Smith.
Smith refused to step down, asserting the belief he is capable of fixing the problem. “I strongly believe there needs to be new leadership within Hockey Canada. Julian, along with MP’s John Nater and Kevin Waugh, also called clearly for the resignation of Smith, Hockey Canada’s board of directors, and any other staff member who took part in the handling of the 2018, and now 2003 allegations of gang sexual assault Hockey Canada faces. MP Peter Julian stated, "I believe Hockey Canada has failed at its task to protect athletes who are victims, public who are victims."
It was, however, the failures of Hockey Canada to protect not only membership, but the general public, and the perceived inability of leadership, namely Hockey Canada president and CEO Scott Smith, that took center stage in testimony and questioning. In addition, Heinen Hutchison LLP, led by Danielle Robitaille who was hired as an “independent” investigator into the 2018 allegations, was paid $287,000 for their services. Brian Cairo, Hockey Canada’s Chief Financial Officer, clarified that the fund, which is primarily funded via player registrations, had been utilized in nine settlements totalling $7.6 million, and that an additional $1.2 million from insurance had been paid to other victims. On the second day of questioning, use of the National Equity Fund to pay sexual assault settlements, as well as leadership in Hockey Canada came under fire. Specifically, when asked if she reported to Hockey Canada’s board of directors during the investigation, she again claimed client/solicitor privilege. In her statements, St-Onge called the investigation conducted by Danielle Robitaille of Heinen Hutchison LLP in 2018 “not independent enough.” Throughout her testimony, Robitaille claimed client/solicitor privilege on the direction of Hockey Canada numerous times. On the first day of questioning, St-Onge responded, calling into question the independence of the investigators hired by Hockey Canada, the need for more diversity within Hockey Canada, funds used to pay sexual assault victims, transparency, and closed by demanding better from future generations of hockey players representing Canada. “However, while these types of incidents are surprising and shocking to the public, academics and journalists have repeatedly documented these problems in hockey and we have been calling for action for decades.” “The most recent allegations of sexual assaults against women involving Canadian hockey players are deeply disturbing,” the letter read.
In an open letter to Canada’s Minister of Sport, Pascale St-Onge, leading up to the hearings, more than two dozen Canadian sport scholars from universities across the nation pointed out that although these incidents of sexual violence may be new to many in the public, they are not new to those in sport. The hearings were called due to Hockey Canada’s alleged involvement in sexual assault in 2018. Calls for drastic change within Hockey Canada, Sport Canada, and the way sport bodies deal with sexual assault in Canada were clear during two days of testimony and questioning by the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage this week.