Hockey Canada has paid $7.6M in sex abuse settlements since 1989

Hockey Canada said Wednesday it has paid out $7.6 million in nine settlements in connection with sexual abuse and sexual assault allegations since 1989.

Of that figure, $6.8 million was related to serial abuser Graham James.

The hockey governing body has been condemned since it was revealed the money in its multimillion-dollar National Equity Fund – which had been reserved for uninsured payments including sexual assault and sexual abuse claims – comes from player fees.

The fund was also used to pay a law firm that has been investigating an alleged sexual assault in 2018 that has Hockey Canada officials before a committee of MPs this week.

MPs asked Hockey Canada president Scott Smith if he would step down.

Smith said he will accept it if Hockey Canada’s governance decides he is not the right person for the job.