Trigger warning: this article discusses a sexual assault case.
High-ranking Hockey Canada executives testified before the House of Commons Monday, in a hearing with the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, on the settled lawsuit which stated that OHL players sexually assaulted a woman at a Hockey Canada event in 2018. The goal of Monday’s hearing was for the committee to better understand Hockey Canada’s actions around the time the allegations first came to light.
One of the biggest details learned was a more specific timeline of events, specifically that Hockey Canada learned of the alleged assault the following day from the stepfather of the alleged victim. Another key piece of information coming from the testimony was the fact that there was uncertainty as to how many players participated in the investigation. Not only that, but there was no mandate to participate in the investigation: players had the option of whether or not they wanted to be interviewed.
“You can understand how shocking that is to hear, and that there was no follow-up by Hockey Canada to ensure players co-operated,” said MP Peter Julian.
Members of the committee weren’t afraid to speak their minds as to how Hockey Canada treated the allegations, as well as “one or two cases on an annual basis over the last five or six years,” according to Hockey Canada president Scott Smith.
“I find it troubling that in the last four years, no one has been held accountable. No one lost the privilege of wearing the maple leaf. No one lost their job.” said MP John Nater.
“Does it not resonate with you that these eight players could be coaching five years down the road?” said MP Kevin Waugh, who brought up the Graham James case when questioning Hockey Canada executives.
When Hockey Canada CEO Tom Renney was asked if the eight players allegedly involved should be known and identified, Renney said, “We are certainly paying very close attention to the young woman and her wishes.”
However, it’s unknown whether or not that can happen down the road, even if the alleged victim wishes to share her story. When asked if she had signed a non-disclosure agreement when settling the sexual abuse lawsuit, Smith declined to answer.
Hockey Canada executives also established Monday that the settlement was paid to the victim on behalf of Hockey Canada and the eight John Doe players accused – not using government funds but by Hockey Canada liquidating a portion of its investments.
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