No government funds used to settle Hockey Canada sexual assault lawsuit: CEO

A Hockey Canada government has advised a Home of Commons committee below oath that the group didn’t use any authorities cash to settle a lawsuit with an alleged sufferer of sexual assault.

CBC Information reported Monday that monetary data present Hockey Canada obtained $14 million in federal authorities assist in 2020 and 2021, together with $3.4 million in emergency COVID-19 subsidies.

However in testimony earlier than the Home of Commons standing committee on Canadian Heritage on Monday, Hockey Canada CEO Tom Renney stated none of that cash was used to settle a $3.55 million lawsuit filed in April by a lady who alleges she was sexually assaulted by eight former Canadian Hockey League (CHL) gamers following a Hockey Canada Basis occasion in London, Ont. in June 2018.

The allegations haven’t been confirmed in court docket.

“I can guarantee that no authorities funds have been used on this settlement,” Renney stated in his opening assertion to the committee.

The phrases of the settlement, and the identification of the events to the lawsuit, will not be identified.

Earlier this month, Minister of Sport Pascale St-Onge ordered a monetary audit of the out-of-court settlement, saying the transfer was meant to make sure taxpayer cash wasn’t used to settle the case.

Renney stated the group would cooperate totally with the audit.

When questioned by the committee, Hockey Canada chief working officer Scott Smith stated the group liquidated a few of its investments to pay the settlement. Authorities funding is saved in a separate account, Smith testified.

Renney stated the group moved to settle the matter rapidly as a result of it felt it had an ethical obligation to take action.

He stated that though Hockey Canada’s unbiased investigation into the matter was inconclusive, the alleged incident was “unacceptable and incompatible with Hockey Canada’s values and expectations, and it clearly triggered hurt.”

He added that the group is hoping to handle behavioural points by means of modifications to its code of conduct and improved education schemes.

Renney is about to retire from his place as CEO on the finish of this month. He testified that his choice to step apart will not be associated to the alleged occasions or the settlement.

Investigations did not establish the gamers

Renney stated Hockey Canada realized of the reported incident a day after it allegedly occurred, and that group employees knowledgeable London, Ont. police.

Shortly after, he stated, Hockey Canada employed a third-party investigator.

However on Monday, Smith stated below questioning that neither investigation is lively — and that the investigations did not establish the eight gamers.

“We weren’t in a position to affirm the identification of the accused,” Smith stated.

He stated Hockey Canada communicated with the unidentified gamers by means of a consultant and that the unbiased investigation commissioned by Hockey Canada ended following the settlement.

The executives testified that whereas Hockey Canada inspired all gamers on the occasion to take part within the third get together investigation, there was little uptake.

Renney and Smith gave conflicting and unclear testimony about what number of gamers did take part.

Renney stated that if he needed to guess, he’d say “4 to 6” gamers participated. Smith contended that the quantity was increased however didn’t give a determine.

Liberal MP Anthony Housefather stated he feels there was a scarcity of effort on Hockey Canada’s half to establish the gamers.

“The truth that they have not been recognized type of shocks me,” Housefather advised the committee.

The plaintiff stated in her assertion of declare that the eight gamers — presently recognized as John Does one by means of eight — have been members of Canada’s nationwide junior crew.

The Nationwide Hockey League (NHL) is investigating to find out whether or not any of the eight are enjoying within the league.

Conservative MP Kevin Waugh expressed a priority that the gamers might find yourself teaching hockey in some unspecified time in the future sooner or later.

He additionally questioned why the sequence of occasions wasn’t made public for 4 years.

“Who made that call to maintain this quiet?” Waugh requested.

Smith replied that Hockey Canada was ready for the conclusion of the 2 investigations.

“We did the work that we wanted to do and we have been ready to reply as soon as the investigation on the prison degree, or as soon as the investigation by our third get together, was full, however sadly neither a kind of might be accomplished,” Smith advised the committee.