Canada’s sports secretary announced that Hockey Canada will undergo increased monitoring by the government as a condition for receiving federal funding. Adam van Koeverden of CBC News mentioned that while progress has been made in addressing the organization’s culture, there is still more work to be accomplished. He emphasized the need for a significant cultural shift that includes transparency, accountability, and time, rather than just ticking off boxes.
The ongoing monitoring will be conducted by Sport Canada and van Koeverden’s office following a pause in Hockey Canada’s funding in 2022 due to concerns regarding a high-profile case involving allegations of sexual assault by five players. Despite the recent court ruling of the players’ innocence, the organization has faced public scrutiny for past incidents, including quietly settling with a victim and using registration fees for compensation.
Although Hockey Canada had its funding restored in 2023, it was subject to conditions such as submitting quarterly progress reports addressing recommendations from independent reports. The organization has since completed all required recommendations, with Sport Canada acknowledging the implementation of the monitoring plan’s conditions.
Van Koeverden stressed the need for sustained cultural change and highlighted the organization’s efforts, such as mandatory training on sexual violence and consent for all staff, coaches, and athletes. He commended the courage of those who came forward, sparking a national dialogue about necessary changes not only in hockey but across all sports.
Regarding concerns about men’s hockey culture, van Koeverden described it as problematic, pointing out issues of chauvinism and sexism that extend beyond the sport. He emphasized the need for recognition and change in attitudes and behaviors, highlighting the importance of a national conversation on mutual respect.
An investigation by The Fifth Estate in 2022 revealed instances of alleged group sexual assault involving junior hockey players, indicating a concerning trend within the sport’s culture. Author Laura Robinson called for continued federal monitoring of Hockey Canada until after the 2026 Winter Olympics, criticizing the organization’s lack of female representation in key roles.
In response to these criticisms, Hockey Canada noted its efforts to increase women’s involvement in coaching roles and implement changes to address cultural issues. The organization highlighted key initiatives undertaken since 2022, including achieving gender equity on its board of directors and adopting a universal code of conduct to prevent maltreatment in sports. Chief of staff Jeremy Knight emphasized that while progress has been made, there is still more work to be done to drive systemic change within Canada’s national winter sport.