Hockey Canada execs testify on sexual assault settlement

A collection of high-ranking Hockey Canada executives testified about a settled sexual assault lawsuit before the House of Commons on Monday.

The lawsuit stated eight unnamed CHL players, including some on Canada's 2018 world junior team, sexually assaulted a woman in June of that year following an event in London, Ontario.

None of the players involved were conclusively identified, and the lawsuit wasn't heard in court. It was filed in April 2022 and settled in May.

Outgoing Hockey Canada CEO Tom Renney said no public funds were used to settle the lawsuit, according to CBC's Richard Raycroft. The governing body instead liquidated a portion of its investments to cover the cost, per TSN's Rick Westhead.

Renney added Hockey Canada became aware of the alleged incident the day after it occurred. The organization recommended players participate in the investigation but didn't mandate it. President of Hockey Canada Scott Smith said 12-13 players cooperated.

Smith admitted Hockey Canada is "probably behind" when it comes to proper education initiatives for players. He also said the organization has dealt with one or two allegations of sexual assault per year over the past five or six years.

He added Hockey Canada's code of conduct did not cover off-ice behavior at the time, but it has since been revised.

Renney stated Hockey Canada didn't do a good enough job supervising its players at the event in question.

"The line was blurred there and we fell short," he said.

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