NDP MP Peter Julian is calling for more accountability and transparency at Hockey Canada through a letter to the organization’s president and CEO, Scott Smith.
The letter, provided to The Canadian Press, follows new information that Julian had been told by a former board member – who chose to remain anonymous – regarding the benefits and luxurious accommodations provided to board members. ‘administration.
“Thousands of dollars are spent on board meetings, on luxury suites, on rings that come with championship teams that are given to board members,” he said. “And I’ve asked those questions in the hearings we’ve had so far and I’ve been blocked by Hockey Canada.
“Responsibility is fundamental here. And I expect Hockey Canada to provide answers to Canadians. ΓǪ There have been a lot of expenses that I think don’t pass the head test when it comes to hockey parents signing up their daughter or son. in hockey programs. And they don’t see the responsibility for those funds that Hockey Canada should exercise. »
In the letter, Julian follows up on Smith’s testimony at a July 27 parliamentary hearing where he said: “The Board and our members have received a version of the championship rings from time to time and certain members of the staff have bonuses that relate to medal performance.”
Featuring information on dinners costing north of $5,000 for the board, as well as accommodations over $3,000 a night” like the Presidential Suite at (Westin) Harbor Castle in downtown Toronto “, Julian wonders how many times these payments have been fabricated.
Julian also notes the claims that the championship rings received by board members are said to be worth over $3,000 each and asks for confirmation of their cost.
🍽In-flight dinner over $5,000?
🏨Presidential suite $3,000/ngt?
💍 Gold & diamond ring 3000$?
Hockey Parents Across #Canada deserve to know exactly how their registration fees are used. @HockeyCanada must be transparent and accountable to the public and especially to hockey parents pic.twitter.com/jxhCxoSekM— Peter Julian (@MPJulian) August 22, 2022
In a statement provided to The Canadian Press, Hockey Canada says board member expenses are “regularly reviewed to ensure they are appropriate.”
“Given the volunteer nature of their role, Hockey Canada covers a range of expenses related to board functions, including meeting, food and travel expenses. Our Board Travel and Expense Policy strictly dictates what expenses are appropriate, including a requirement that directors book the most economical travel available.
“Eligible expenses include airfare, accommodations, meals and ground travel. Hockey Canada does not cover hotel stays longer than necessary for board business, incidentals or travel tickets. plane to places other than the meeting place and home.”
With Parliament due to resume on September 19, Julian continues to express his desire for Hockey Canada to return to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.
“It’s up to the majority of the committee (to decide on future hearings),” Julian said. “I expressed a few weeks ago that I felt we needed to continue with these important audiences and expand them to include other national sports organizations as we have become aware of other sports organizations where there has been a lack of similar liability.
“Sport Canada, and the Minister of Sport, must be accountable for the decisions that have been made over the past two years. So I hope, and I think, that the members of the committee understand the importance of this. I hope we continue with these hearings, and that will be a decision that I believe the committee will make (at) its next meetings.”
With the whistleblower now in the fold, Julian hopes that, if possible, they would be willing to testify. However, the member is aware of a need for protection of the said person.
“I certainly think it’s important that whistleblowers are protected. And so that’s something we have to ensure as well,” Julian said. “Whether or not that council member testifies in camera or in open court, I think will be up to that council member, but I would certainly like to see that council member testify before the committee.”
Hockey Canada has been under immense pressure to be publicly transparent with its finances and handling of sexual assault allegations since TSN first reported an undisclosed settlement with a woman who alleged she was sexually assaulted by eight players, including members of the 2018 World Junior Team.
The plaintiff was asking for $3.55 million.
The organization has since admitted to using its National Equity Fund to pay out $7.6 million in nine settlements related to sexual assault or abuse since 1989. The fund has tapped into the costs of minor hockey membership to pay uninsured debts, including such claims.
Hockey Canada also disclosed an investigation into an alleged sexual assault involving members of the 2003 World Junior Team on July 22.
Amid the revelations, Sports Minister Pascale St. Onge froze funding for the sports body, in addition to Scotiabank, TELUS, Imperial Oil, Canadian Tire and Tim Hortons pulling sponsorship money.
Former Hockey Canada CEO Tom Renney retired at the end of June, leaving Smith to be his successor while continuing to serve as president of the organization. Michael Brind’Amour, the former chairman of the board, resigned on August 6 and Andrea Skinner took over as interim chairman on August 9.
Despite the moving parts and an action plan that includes, among other measures, having a centralized system in place to track and report abuse complaints by the end of September, Julian believes a change in current leadership is still needed within the organization.
“As I mentioned last month during the hearing, I have lost faith in the current leadership,” he said. “There needs to be a change in leadership at Hockey Canada, I think, to restore public confidence. »
“The fact that these questions are now being asked in terms of quite staggering expenses, for the Board of Directors, is something that I think indicates that there are people within Hockey Canada who are concerned about the lack responsibility for sexual violence and sexual harassment and concerned about where Hockey Canada’s current leadership stands (and) where its priorities seem to lie. »
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on August 23, 2022.