Hockey Canada unveils action plan in light of sexual assault scandals

Hockey Canada unveiled an action plan Monday to address "systemic issues" and "toxic behavior" within the sport as the organization deals with investigations into two separate incidents of alleged sexual assault.

"We need to do more to address the behaviors that are undermining the many good things the game brings to our country," Hockey Canada wrote in a statement. "With this action plan, we aim to do just that."

The multipronged plan aims to hold Hockey Canada accountable while promoting safety and inclusivity. The organization will establish a fully confidential tracking and reporting system for all complaints of abuse and harassment by the end of September 2022. The results will be published publicly annually.

The plan also features:

• Enhanced training for players and coaches with an additional focus on masculinity and consent.
• A review of all existing training programs by an independent specialist.
• Adopting the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport 6.0 and mandating that breaching the code or failing to participate in an investigation could result in a lifetime ban from Hockey Canada.
• Implementing an enhanced character screening for high-performance players.

Hockey Canada's board of directors will appoint a special committee of independent experts to monitor the action plan's progress. Executive performance evaluations will be tied to the implementation of the plan, and a public report on its impact will be published annually.

Members of Canada's women's national team, including Marie-Philip Poulin, shared a moving statement addressing Hockey Canada's board of directors later Monday.

"We are writing to you today to declare, first and above all else, that we intend to be part of the fight for the truth. All of the facts related to this terrible situation must - and will - come to light. After all, the only way to treat an injury is to acknowledge it fully."

The team added that it is encouraged by Hockey Canada's action plan, but that it's only a step in the right direction.

"There is much more work and action needed to fully address the underlying issues in order to ensure that a new Hockey Canada emerges from this crisis. We feel it is important to have women sitting at the table as this process evolves, and we urge you to include representatives from our group so that we can be informed and involved."

Hockey Canada revealed the plan shortly before the second round of parliamentary hearings into its handling of sexual assault complaints is set to begin.

The organization has been under intense scrutiny since the spring after details emerged about an alleged sexual assault involving members of the 2018 world junior team.

A woman says she was assaulted by eight unnamed CHL players in June of that year following a Hockey Canada gala event in London, Ontario. The lawsuit, which wasn't heard in court, was filed in April 2022 and settled in May.

On Friday, Hockey Canada reported a second alleged group sexual assault from 2003 involving members of the 2002-03 national junior team.