It’s no secret that hockey in Canada is and has always been a cultural breeding ground for toxic masculinity. After emerging scrutiny surrounding Hockey Canada’s poor handling of sexual assault cases the organization’s leadership in its entirety has stepped aside.
The Globe and Mail has slowly turned stone after stone over the past few months. Seemingly leading down a deeper and darker path at every turn.
On Saturday, October 8th Hockey Canada interim Chair Andrea Skinner stepped down during the Blue Jays prospective post-season saving wild card game against the Mariners. Classy. Following Skinner’s resignation CEO Scott Smith and the remaining male dominated, culturally not diverse board members all followed suit.
The Globe and Mail were able to uncover multiple funds with the direct purpose of paying off claims of sexual assault against Canadian international hockey players. One of these funds discovered was said to foster $7.8m. Then began the contemplation, where did these funds come from? Canadians were shocked to discover a portion of funding from youth hockey registration fees across the country, including girls, was being used directly in these secret funds.
One woman made a $3.5m claim against multiple members of the Canadian World Junior hockey team regarding a sexual assault that took place after a Hockey Canada function in London, On.
As a result Hockey Canada has lost almost all sponsorships, which in turn led to the resignation of its executive leadership staff.
(photo: Graham Hughes/CP)