Hockey Canada has said it must “do more” to ensure safety in its sport.
The national organization issued a brief statement Thursday after the federal government cut off its funding in response to its handling of an alleged sexual assault case and subsequent settlement with the victim.
Sports Minister Pascale St-Onge said Wednesday that Hockey Canada will resume receiving public funds only when it obtains an incomplete investigation report from an independent firm into an incident that allegedly happened four years ago and which would have involved eight players on the sidelines of a gala that took place in London, Ontario.
St-Onge added that the sports federation will also have to join the Office of the Integrity Commissioner, a new government agency with the power to independently investigate complaints of abuse and impose sanctions.
Hockey Canada spokesperson Esther Madziya acknowledged Minister St-Onge’s conditions and added that the leaders of (our) organization must do more.
Hockey Canada President Scott Smith and outgoing COO Tom Renney were questioned by lawmakers on Parliament Hill earlier this week during a meeting of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage on management by the organization of the alleged incident in London.
The Canadian Press
Source: Radio-Canada
