Canadian Heritage committee  I hear you. It's affordability. That's why I think soccer is booming. Why is hockey booming? Because it's our national sport. We're a cold country, so I think those are the black-and-white answers. As for funding, it just comes down to who is more creative with ways to seek fun

Canadian Heritage committee  As I said, more funding is needed, especially right before Olympic year, because a lot of athletes are into full-time training. You can't do anything else the year before an Olympics. We're lucky that we relocate to Calgary and Hockey Canada covers our food and living expenses. I

Canadian Heritage committee  If you would like me to add to that, as I said, I always think there is room for improvement with concussions. I do think the NHLPA has to really talk to the NHL, too, because the kids are watching them and that's where the message has to come from. The whole idea of the black ro

Canadian Heritage committee  We're going to win.

Canadian Heritage committee  Oh, there's translation. I'm new to this.

Canadian Heritage committee  Every year we're getting better and better. I don't know as much about what's going on in Sochi because I've been removed from the sport for five years. Definitely, having the Olympics in Canada—look at our showing, the motivation of being in our home country and never winning a

Canadian Heritage committee  For sure, the sad part is that it's a two-team sport right now. Finland was in there for a while, and Sweden. A few other countries are starting to make a move, as is Russia because they are hosting it, but the sad part is that the other countries are not funded. These players ar

Canadian Heritage committee  I don't know whether it jeopardizes the sport. It just makes life damned hard. That's the bottom line. We're working. We're training. There is no wasted time. I was at school and working at a job. I was playing hockey and going to an Ivy League school. I was also going away to Te

Canadian Heritage committee  We don't know what Hockey Canada gives them, because most of them are NHL players so they're making a pretty good salary. We very well could be paid more than they are by Hockey Canada; I'm not sure. I just know that in my experience and from talking to some of the other girls, i

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes. In every city I know, ice is scarce. I know that a lot of organizations for females are saying, “You know, we started later than the boys did, and we're having a hard time securing more ice. It's not fair.” We definitely could use more arenas for just our youth and grassroot

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes.

Canadian Heritage committee  My case is actually really sad. It has been life changing. I've suffered from severe depression. I still can't exercise to this day. I've had headaches for almost five years straight. I don't think people know how serious it is, because you look like a functioning human being.

Canadian Heritage committee  I brought notes, but I'm just going to talk, I guess. I'd like to thank Rick for inviting me here. It's a pleasure to be here. Usually we speak in schools, so I'm not used to this. My name is Katie Weatherston. I'm 30 years old. I played on the women's Olympic ice hockey team i

Canadian Heritage committee  Thanks very much.

Canadian Heritage committee  They do it every year.