MP says more members of Hockey Canada’s leadership group should step down.
Sebastien Lemire says Andrea Skinner made the right decision to step down as interim chair of Hockey Canada’s board of directors on Saturday.
Lemire, Bloc Québécois MP who sits on the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, tweeted in french Sunday that “for the good of all”, Hockey Canada must continue to clean up.
Skinner and his predecessor Michael Brind’Amour were arraigned by the parliamentary committee on Tuesday about Hockey Canada’s handling of an alleged gang sexual assault involving members of the 2018 Junior Men’s National Team and how he paid money as part of lawsuit settlements.
MPs have demanded to know why Hockey Canada President and CEO Scott Smith has not yet been fired.
Skinner vigorously defended Hockey Canada’s leadership.
She insisted that hockey shouldn’t be a ‘scapegoat’ or ‘centerpiece’ of a toxic culture that exists elsewhere in society, and referenced politicians who have been accused of sexual misconduct. .
The fallout from Skinner and Brind’Amour’s testimony came quickly.
Nike suspended corporate sponsorship of Hockey Canada on Friday to join three other top partners – Tim Hortons, Esso and Telus – in suspending support for hockey’s governing body.
More provincial hockey associations have begun to withhold fees from Hockey Canada players.
Hockey NL and Hockey New Brunswick both withdrew their $3 per player fees on Friday after Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia.
“On reflection, it is clear from recent events that it no longer makes sense for me to continue to volunteer as interim president or as director of the organization,” Skinner wrote in the statement. of Saturday.
The Toronto lawyer said she was “gratified” to have the opportunity to work with people from the organization, “despite recent challenges”.
“I sincerely appreciate the support I have received from many Canadians, especially women, who also seek to positively influence the game and sport,” Skinner wrote.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on October 9, 2022.