Hockey Canada signs to Abuse-Free Sport

Hockey Canada has announced it has signed to Abuse-Free Sport, the new independent program to prevent and address maltreatment in sport in Canada.

It comes as Hockey Canada has been dealing with nation-wide backlash after it was revealed in May it had paid an undisclosed settlement to a woman in London, Ont., after she alleged she was sexually assaulted by members of the 2018 men’s world junior team.

Investigations by the government and the media revealed that Hockey Canada had three funds to pay for sexual assault settlements, among other things.

Effective immediately, all complaints of abuse, discrimination and harassment at the national level will go directly to the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner.

It says for alleged incidents involving other levels of Hockey Canada-sanctioned programming, an additional confidential reporting mechanism overseen by and independent third party has been established.

“Today’s announcement is an important step in working towards ending a culture of silence that exists in corners of our game,” said Natasha Johnston, vice-president of sport safety with Hockey Canada, in a statement. “We are pleased to be part of this critical addition to the Canadian sport system and hope a strong message is being sent to Canadians that inappropriate behaviour in and around hockey will not be tolerated at any level.”

Hockey Canada also says it has amended relevant policies and procedures to adopt the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport 6.0.