PUBLIC funding for Canada’s ice hockey federation was restored yesterday after a 10-month suspension over allegations that it covered up the sexual assault of a young woman by eight players in 2018.

“While federal financing is only a fraction of Hockey Canada’s revenues, I wish to reiterate that our funding is not a blank cheque,” said Sport Minister Pascale St-Onge in a letter to Hockey Canada’s chair of the board of directors, Hugh Fraser, cited by local media.

In her letter, the minister said several conditions were required for federal funding to continue for the 2023-2024 season and that progress on various issues would be monitored.

St-Onge cited problems including “toxic behaviours, the trivialisation of sexual violence, and the culture of silence,” saying, “There is no reason why such situations should continue to plague hockey or any other sport.”

Troubles for Hockey Canada started in May, when shocking accusations came to light that eight players from the 2018 junior national team had sexually assaulted a young woman as a group.

The federation had allegedly sought to keep the incident quiet, reaching a confidential multi-million dollar agreement with the victim. 

The settlement was paid via a secret fund – one that was supported in part by fees paid by young Canadian hockey players.

The backlash was swift, fuelled further by weeks of denial and obfuscation by federation officials, triggering sponsors and the government to take action.

In October, the federation announced the resignation of its president, Scott Smith, and its entire board of directors. 

Sporting equipment brands Nike and Bauer and restaurant chain Tim Hortons also pulled their support from Hockey Canada’s men’s programme. 

Fraser said in a Hockey Canada statement yesterday that the restoration of funding “marks an important milestone for Hockey Canada in our journey to earn and maintain the trust of Canadians.”

He thanked the government for the “vote of confidence” while underscoring that “we still have work to do to change the culture of our sport.” – AFP, April 17, 2023.