CanadaB次元官网网址檚 minister of sport says Hockey Canada must continue to transition to a new leadership team.
Pascale St-Onge issued the statement on Sunday, a day after Andrea Skinner resigned as the interim chair of Hockey CanadaB次元官网网址檚 board of directors. The national sport organization continues to draw widespread criticism for its handling of an alleged group sexual assault involving members of the 2018 menB次元官网网址檚 national junior team, and how it has paid out settlements in lawsuits.
Skinner, who took on the role in August after Michael BrindB次元官网网址橝mour resigned from the post, stepped down after she testified before ParliamentB次元官网网址檚 standing committee on Canadian Heritage on Tuesday.
St-Onge said that Skinner and BrindB次元官网网址橝mourB次元官网网址檚 resignations are B次元官网网址渟teps in the right direction.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚t must now be followed by a process of meaningful change in Hockey CanadaB次元官网网址檚 values and culture,B次元官网网址� said St-Onge in a statement. B次元官网网址淲e hope that the remaining members work actively toward the transition to a new leadership and governance team, one that can put in place the training and support that players require, and create an environment free of sexual violence, maltreatment and discrimination.B次元官网网址�
Skinner and BrindB次元官网网址橝mour were grilled by the committee on Tuesday. Members of Parliament demanded in committee hearings to know why Hockey Canada president Scott Smith has not yet been fired.
Skinner vigorously defended the national sports organizationB次元官网网址檚 leadership group at the Parliamentary hearing. She insisted hockey shouldnB次元官网网址檛 be made a B次元官网网址渟capegoatB次元官网网址� or B次元官网网址渃entrepieceB次元官网网址� for toxic culture that exists elsewhere in society, and referred to politicians who have been accused of sexual misconduct.
St-Onge said in her statement that Hockey CanadaB次元官网网址檚 mission statement goes beyond on-ice performance.
B次元官网网址淲e expect Hockey Canada to develop not only exceptional athletes, but also to educate and develop citizens who respect women, the public and Canadian law,B次元官网网址� said St-Onge.
S茅bastien Lemire, a Bloc-Qu茅b茅cois MP who sits on the standing committee on Canadian Heritage, tweeted in French on Sunday that B次元官网网址渇or the good of allB次元官网网址� Hockey Canada must continue to clean house.
Fallout from Skinner and BrindB次元官网网址橝mourB次元官网网址檚 testimony came quickly.
Nike suspended corporate sponsorship of Hockey Canada on Friday to join three other premier partners B次元官网网址� Tim Hortons, Esso and Telus B次元官网网址� in pausing support for hockeyB次元官网网址檚 governing body.
More provincial hockey associations began withholding player fees from Hockey Canada.
Hockey N.L. and Hockey New Brunswick both withdrew their $3-per-player fees Friday following Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia.
B次元官网网址淯pon reflection, it is clear to me from recent events that it no longer makes sense for me to continue to volunteer my time as Interim Chair or as a Director of the organization,B次元官网网址� wrote Skinner in SaturdayB次元官网网址檚 statement.
The Toronto lawyer said she has been B次元官网网址済ratifiedB次元官网网址� for the opportunity to work with people in the organization, B次元官网网址渄espite recent challenges.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚 sincerely appreciate the support I have received from many Canadians, particularly women, who also seek to positively influence the game and sport,B次元官网网址� Skinner wrote.
John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press
Like us on and follow us on .
