Hockey Canada says there were more than 900 documented or alleged incidents of on-ice discrimination B次元官网网址� verbal taunts, insults and intimidation B次元官网网址� across all levels and age groups during the 2021-22 season.
The data contained in the national sport organizationB次元官网网址檚 first-ever report tracking the issue shows 512 penalties for discrimination were called by officials, while 415 allegations were investigated after the fact.
Hockey Canada introduced a new section to its rulebook in August 2021 to address maltreatment in a federation that had close to 520,000 registered players last season.
The 14-page document released Friday details the application of Rule 11.4, which deals specifically with discrimination, including race, language, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic characteristics and disability.
The reportB次元官网网址檚 release comes on the heels of the B次元官网网址渁ction planB次元官网网址� unveiled by Hockey Canada in July to address B次元官网网址渢oxic behaviour in the sportB次元官网网址� as it dealt with the dramatic fallout of alleged sexual assaults involving members of both the 2018 and 2003 world junior teams. None of the allegations have been proven in court.
The organization said information released Friday doesnB次元官网网址檛 reflect off-ice incidents of maltreatment, sexual violence or abuse, which starting this season will be handled by the federal governmentB次元官网网址檚 Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner or a new independent third-party complaint process.
B次元官网网址淎s this is the first year of reporting, (the data) does not present a comprehensive representation of discrimination in hockey,B次元官网网址� the document read. B次元官网网址淲ith that in mind, the data contained in this report is a critically important first step in Hockey CanadaB次元官网网址檚 ongoing efforts to better track, identify and respond to maltreatment in hockey.B次元官网网址�
The organization added B次元官网网址渃apacity and readinessB次元官网网址� to collect and report information from its 10 provincial and three territorial members varied.
B次元官网网址淓ducation, awareness and discussion on processes were necessary in order to make improvements,B次元官网网址� the report stated. B次元官网网址淎s a result, there were inconsistencies in the rule application at times.
B次元官网网址淟earnings were collected throughout this process and are being built upon for subsequent years.B次元官网网址�
Hockey Canada, which has committed to more transparency following a string of scandals that enraged the public and politicians alike, is picking up the pieces following a horrendous spring, summer and fall that saw its federal and corporate funding paused or halted entirely due to the organizationB次元官网网址檚 handling of sexual assault allegations and payments to victims.
There were also a series of disastrous heritage committee meetings on Parliament Hill where Hockey Canada officials past and present were grilled by legislators examining the matter, which ultimately led to the board of directorsB次元官网网址� resignation and the departure of embattled president and CEO Scott Smith in October.
Former Supreme Court judge Thomas Cromwell, meanwhile, headed an independent review into Hockey CanadaB次元官网网址檚 governance. The 221-page report concluded the federation was at a B次元官网网址渃rossroadsB次元官网网址� and called for more oversight and accountability.
A vote on a new board and chair by Hockey CanadaB次元官网网址檚 provincial and territorial members is slated for Dec. 17.
FridayB次元官网网址檚 report related to on-ice discrimination showed that of the 512 penalties called by officials across the country last season, 61 per cent involved sexual orientation or gender identity, followed by race (18 per cent) and disability (11 per cent).
More than half of those incidents B次元官网网址� 55 per cent B次元官网网址� came in the under-18 age bracket, while 76 per cent occurred at the competitive level.
Players accounted for 96 per cent of the penalties assessed, while male participants made up 99 per cent of infractions.
When it came to allegations that werenB次元官网网址檛 witnessed by an official and required an investigation, 47 per cent of the reported discrimination was race-related, while 40 per cent concerned sexual orientation or gender identity.
The under-18 age group again led the way with 37 per cent of incidents, while 21 per cent occurred in under-15, and nine per cent in under-13. In 22 per cent of cases, the age division wasnB次元官网网址檛 provided.
Competitive hockey saw 70 per cent of the allegations, with players making up 76 per cent of the overall number. Male participants accounted for 67 per cent of allegations, while gender wasnB次元官网网址檛 provided or available in 31 per cent of reports.
Hockey CanadaB次元官网网址檚 data showed 37 per cent of allegations initially undetected by on-ice officials eventually resulted in an B次元官网网址渦nsubstantiatedB次元官网网址� ruling, 18 per cent in suspension, 17 per cent in written warnings and 13 per cent in education, while 10 per cent ended with multiple or B次元官网网址渙therB次元官网网址� sanctions. Five per cent remain under investigation.
The combined per capita rate of the penalized and alleged discrimination incidents stood at 0.18 per cent among the 519,755 registered players in 2021-22.
The organization said it will push out another report on Rule 11.4 after this season, and is aiming to have all instances of maltreatment, abuse and harassment tracked and shared in 2023-24.
B次元官网网址淗ockey Canada and its members recognize the inherent importance of data collection,B次元官网网址� the report concluded. B次元官网网址淗ockey Canada commits to continuing to make national reports on maltreatment publicly available and accessible on an annual basis as part of its overall sport safety framework.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址擩oshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
