THE BACKGROUND: A look back at the Hockey Canada sex assault scandal

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Hockey Canada has been embroiled in controversy since 2018 over its response to allegations involving members of the 2018 world junior team

Published Jan 24, 2024  •  Last updated 15 hours ago  •  3 minute read

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THE COMPLAINT: In May 2022, TSN reported a London woman had reached an out-of-court settlement with Hockey Canada in a lawsuit she filed against the organization, the Canadian Hockey League and eight unnamed players – including five on the Canadian world junior team – alleging she was sexually assaulted at a hotel in downtown London on June 18, 2018, following a Hockey Canada gala fundraiser held at the London Convention Centre, now called RBC Place London.

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INVESTIGATION: London police investigated the sexual assault allegations in 2018, but the case was closed in February, 2019 without any charges filed. The woman said in her statement of claim Hockey Canada knew about the allegations and did nothing about them. The organization countered by claiming it reported the allegations to London police and hired law firm Henein Hutchison LLP to conduct an independent investigation. A police investigation was reopened three years later.

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APPLICATION FILED: In 2023, London police filed an application with the Ontario Court of Justice to obtain permission for search warrants and production orders. London police said in the document they have reasonable grounds to believe five members of the 2018 world junior team sexually assaulted the woman in June 2018.

THE OUTRAGE: Criticism of Hockey Canada’s handling of the alleged assault included the revelation of a fund using minor hockey registration fees that paid for “uninsured liabilities” including sexual assault and abuse claims. Scott Smith testified to the Canadian government’s Heritage Committee on July 27, 2022, that the organization had spent $8.9 million since 1989 to settle 21 sexual misconduct lawsuits. New allegations surfaced including an alleged assault involving the 2003 Canadian team at the world juniors in Halifax and many of Hockey Canada’s sponsors – including Tim Hortons, Canadian Tire, Scotiabank, TELUS and Imperial Oil – initially paused sponsorship of the organization. The federal government also froze Hockey Canada’s access to public funds before restoring it last April.

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THE SHAKEUP: The scandal led to wholesale changes in Hockey Canada’s leadership. Board chair Michael Brind’Amour resigned in August 2022 and interim chair Andrea Skinner quit Oct. 10 that year. Three days later, chief executive Scott Smith departed and the organization’s board members left to make way for new directors. Those moves came after Parliamentary committee hearings in Ottawa, the sponsorship exits and a number of provincial associations halting transfer fees to the national body while calling for change in the organization.

ANOTHER LOOK: Hockey Canada launched its own investigation by Toronto lawyer Danielle Robitaille of the alleged London assault and an independent adjudication panel recommended sanctions for code of conduct breaches. Hockey Canada filed an appeal but has also declared all players from Canada’s 2018 world junior team have been excluded from taking part in international events.

CHANGES: According to Hockey Canada, the organization has created a number of policies to improve sport safety and change the culture in the game. All national team athletes, coaches and staff are to complete training on sexual violence and consent while an independent third party will handle complaints. Hockey Canada has also adopted a code of conduct to address maltreatment.

THIS WEEK’S DEVELOPMENTS: Five members of the 2018 world junior team have been granted leaves of absence from their current clubs this week: former London Knight Alex Formenton, Philadelphia goalie Carter Hart, Calgary forward Dillon Dube and Michael McLeod and Cal Foote of the New Jersey Devils.

rpyette@postmedia.com

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