Hockey Canada faces another round of federal hearings on the matter. Jeff Vinick
Hockey Canada is reopening a third-party investigation into sexual abuse allegations involving eight Canadian Hockey League players after the organization’s handling of the alleged incident prompted federal commission hearings and the suspension of corporate partnerships.
Hockey’s national governing body said in an open letter on Thursday that it would take a number of measures to “end the culture of toxic behaviour” in the sport. Among the actions outlined is the reopening of an investigation into allegations that a group of CHL players, including members of the 2018 gold medal-winning world junior team, sexually assaulted a woman after a Hockey Canada Foundation gala in London, Ont., on June 18 2018
The fallout from the allegations is widespread. Ottawa suspended its funding to Hockey Canada as it conducts a financial audit to confirm that taxpayer dollars were not used in a settlement related to the alleged incident. The National Hockey League has launched its own investigation, as a number of players who attended the 2018 gala may already be in the league.
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Companies such as Scotiabank, Tim Hortons and Telus have suspended or withdrawn their support for Hockey Canada or specific events, including the junior worlds being held in Alberta next month.
In Montreal on Thursday, Sports Minister Pascal Saint-Onge described the measures announced by Hockey Canada as “a good step in the right direction” but said he was waiting to see action before Ottawa made any further decisions.
Hockey Canada faces another round of federal hearings on the matter, scheduled for July 26 and 27 in Ottawa. In addition to Hockey Canada executives and government officials, the Canadian Heritage Committee said it wants to hear from the president of a liability insurance company and from Henein Hutchison, the law firm conducting the third-party investigation.
Hockey Canada said the original investigation into Henein Hutchison could not be completed because the alleged victim chose not to speak to the investigator. The woman’s attorney, Rob Tallach, said in an email that his client will participate this time.
In addition to reopening the investigation, Hockey Canada announced that it will also: require all high-performance players, coaches, team personnel and volunteers to participate in mandatory sexual assault and consent training; conducts a management review; commit to joining the newly created federal Office of the Commissioner for Integrity in Sport; and establishing an independent and confidential complaints mechanism.
“We know we are at a crossroads and that the journey ahead is an important one that will define not only the game ahead, but the future of Canadian hockey,” the organization’s letter said.
The allegations were made public in late May when TSN reported a settlement had been reached in a $3.55 million lawsuit that named eight unnamed players, the CHL and Hockey Canada as defendants. Hockey Canada said it covered the settlement on behalf of the parties by liquidating some of its investments.
According to her lawsuit, the woman, now 24, “engaged in sexual acts” with John Doe No. 1 in his hotel room. Without her consent, the allegation states, John Doe No. 1 then invited seven other players into the room, where they engaged in “some or all” of a list of sexual acts.
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Hockey Canada said the woman has filed a complaint with London police, who have opened a criminal investigation. The sports body said it was notified in February 2019 that the police service had concluded its investigation. No charges were filed.
Anil Kapur, a lawyer for one of the players, criticized Hockey Canada for its characterization of the allegations in the open letter. “This letter by Hockey Canada starts from a presumption of guilt,” he said. “It’s extremely unfair to the players. We have serious doubts about the fairness of the process.”
At federal commission hearings last month, Hockey Canada’s outgoing CEO, Tom Rennie, told lawmakers that within hours of learning of the allegations on June 19, 2018, the organization contacted local police and engaged Henein Hutchison to conduct the third-party investigation.
Mr. Rennie, who said he informed Hockey Canada’s board in April 2021 that he would not renew his contract, said the organization told the players it was their choice whether to participate in the investigation, but they encouraged them to do so. Hockey Canada executives gave conflicting testimony to the commission about the number of players involved in the investigation.
In its open letter, Hockey Canada says it will now require all players to participate in the renewed investigation. Failure to do so will result in them being barred from all Hockey Canada activities and programs.
“The investigation, once completed, will be referred to an independent judicial panel of current and former judges who will determine the appropriate consequences, which may include a lifetime ban from Hockey Canada, on and off the ice,” the letter said.
The NHL declined to say whether the league would compel players to participate in its investigation and what the consequences might be if they don’t. “The NHL intends to continue to pursue and conduct our investigation,” league spokesman Gary Meagher said in an email. “We will not comment further until it is completed.”
As for the federal funding, Ms. St-Onge said Hockey Canada will only restore it once the organization joins the new Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner, whose mandate is to deal with serious complaints of abuse and mistreatment in sports. She also said Hockey Canada should disclose the recommendations made as a result of Henein Hutchison’s original investigation. (Hockey Canada’s open letter does not include a commitment to release such recommendations.)
Several Hockey Canada partners that have withdrawn or suspended their support also responded to the open letter, including Scotiabank, which described the organization’s statement as “the next positive step,” and Nike, which said it had raised concerns with Hockey Canada and was “deeply disturbed” by the allegations. TSN and RDS, which broadcast next month’s world juniors, said they “look forward to reviewing the changes the organization will outline in its action plan.”
Conservative MP Kevin Waugh, who sits on the Canadian Heritage Committee, said he expects the federal hearings at the end of the month to be “tumultuous.” Ahead of the hearings, the committee has requested a redacted copy of the confidentiality agreement related to the settlement, as well as communications between Hockey Canada and teams, players and federal officials.
“Hockey Canada is right that people are angry,” Mr. Waugh said in an interview from Saskatoon, referring to the comments made in the open letter. “I’ve heard it on the street here. You’ll hear this all over the country.
With reports from Simon Haupt, Joe Friesen and Colin Freese
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