Hockey Québec cuts ties with Hockey Canada in wake of sex assault scandals: reports

The resolution cites Hockey Québec's lack of "confidence in the ability of Hockey Canada to act effectively to change the culture of hockey."

Less than a day after federal Sports Minister Pascale St-Onge called upon provincial hockey federations to impose change on the management of Hockey Canada in the wake of a series of sex scandals, Hockey Québec has voted to cut all ties with the national organization, according to multiple news reports.

The resolution adopted Tuesday evening cites Hockey Québec’s lack of “confidence in the ability of Hockey Canada to act effectively to change the culture of hockey with the structure in place” and will suspend all registration fees usually paid to the national organization.

Hockey Canada has been under the national microscope since May, when it was revealed it settled a lawsuit with a woman who alleged she was sexually assaulted by eight players from the 2018 junior men’s hockey team at a June gala event in London, Ont., that year.

St-Onge and victims rights advocate Sheldon Kennedy have said Hockey Canada leadership must quit to allow for change in the organization and to regain public trust. St-Onge believes Hockey Canada lacks “the capacity to renew themselves from within” and wants its 13-member minor hockey associations to impose change.

Since Hockey Canada’s settlement became public in the spring, Halifax police were asked to investigate an alleged sexual assault by members of the 2003 junior men’s team.

Among other revelations was Hockey Canada’s admission it drew on minor hockey membership fees to pay for uninsured liabilities, including sexual abuse claims, under a “National Equity Fund.”

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