Hockey Canada statement on charges by London Police Service
CALGARY, Alberta – Today, the London Police Service introduced severe prison expenses towards 5 former National Junior Team gamers pertaining to an alleged sexual assault in 2018.
Hockey Canada has cooperated absolutely with the London Police Service all through its investigation and we’re dedicated to persevering with to assist the authorized course of.
In November 2023, it was introduced {that a} discover of attraction was filed in response to the ultimate adjudicative report by an unbiased panel that held a listening to with a view to find out whether or not sure members of the 2018 National Junior Team breached Hockey Canada’s code of conduct, and if that’s the case, what sanctions needs to be imposed towards these gamers.
Pending the completion of the attraction course of, all gamers from the 2018 National Junior Team stay suspended by Hockey Canada, and are ineligible to play, coach, officiate or volunteer with Hockey Canada-sanctioned packages.
The attraction course of stays ongoing and out of respect for it and the authorized course of, we’re unable to remark additional presently.
“Hockey Canada recognizes that in the past we have been too slow to act and that in order to deliver the meaningful change that Canadians expect of us, we must work diligently and urgently to ensure that we are putting in place the necessary measures to regain their trust, and provide all participants with a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment on and off the ice,” stated Katherine Henderson, president and chief government officer of Hockey Canada.
Since final yr, Hockey Canada has applied vital measures to enhance the tradition of the game and the security of individuals, together with:
- Requiring all nationwide workforce athletes, coaches and workers to bear a compulsory enhanced screening course of, and full coaching on sexual violence and consent
- Adopting the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport
- Becoming a full signatory to Abuse-Free Sport and the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner (OSIC)
- Establishing an Independent Third Party for any hockey-related maltreatment complaints towards anybody affiliated with Hockey Canada-sanctioned packages who fall exterior of OSIC’s jurisdiction
- Hosting the primary Beyond the Boards Summit, which was led by exterior subject-matter specialists to assist set up a roadmap to vary the tradition of the sport in any respect ranges
- Implementing suggestions from an unbiased governance evaluation led by the Hon. Thomas Cromwell, C.C.
- Publishing an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Path Forward, which features a Commitment to Action assertion that summarizes our ongoing work to drive long-term, sustainable change inside the hockey ecosystem in Canada.
We are dedicated to being clear and accountable to Canadians as we drive these essential adjustments ahead and empower victims of maltreatment to really feel snug to convey ahead their complaints in a course of that’s victim-centred and trauma-informed.
To be taught extra about Hockey Canada, please go to HockeyCanada.ca, or observe alongside by means of social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.
