Sport Canada knew of Team Canada sex assault allegations in 2018, sr. director says
Posted July 26, 2022 12:52 pm.
Last Updated July 26, 2022 12:57 pm.
Michel Ruest, a senior director at Sport Canada, tells MPs his organization was made aware of an alleged sexual assault connected to a Hockey Canada event in 2018, but did not follow up with the national governing body or tell the sport minister’s office.
Hockey Canada has been under fire since news broke in May that a woman alleged eight players — including members of the 2018 world junior team — sexually assaulted her following a gala event in London, Ont., four years ago.
The woman who made the allegation was seeking more than $3.5 million in damages from Hockey Canada, the Canadian Hockey League and the unnamed players, but details of the settlement are not public. None of the allegations have been proven in court.
It also emerged this week that Hockey Canada has been using its so-called “National Equity Fund” which is maintained by membership fees collected across the country to settle sexual assault claims.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there needs to be a “real reckoning” at Hockey Canada as the organization continues to deal with the fallout related to its handling of an alleged sexual assault and out-of-court settlement.
Trudeau added that the federation “has to do an awful lot” to regain the trust of Canadians.
Hockey Canada released a statement on Friday revealing it has also learned of an alleged group sexual assault said to have taken place in 2003 involving members of the men’s world junior championship team.
More to come
