Evidence of meeting #38 for Canadian Heritage in the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was players.
A video is available from Parliament.
President and Chief Operating Officer, Hockey Canada
My reference was to the fact that I believe the NHL is conducting an investigation. That was my reference in answer to that earlier question.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Okay, but I'll come back to my question: Are there currently any other investigations or any other complaints that have not been resolved that have come to Hockey Canada?
President and Chief Operating Officer, Hockey Canada
In recent years, I believe that we have reported three incidents of assault, as required, and I know this is one of them. I know that I cannot comment on the level of investigation of the other two.
NDP
President and Chief Operating Officer, Hockey Canada
I do not have that information in front of me. It wasn't necessarily what I was prepared to discuss today.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Thank you, Peter. That ends the first round.
I'm going to the second round now, which is a five-minute round.
I'll begin with Kevin Waugh for the Conservative Party.
Conservative
Kevin Waugh Conservative Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK
Thank you, Madam Chair, and welcome, Hockey Canada.
Whose decision was it in June 2018 to keep this quiet, and why did you keep it quiet for four years? The players were interviewed. We heard prior to the NHL's Stanley Cup series that one of the star players on the team said, “I'm not involved, but I was interviewed.” Who made the decision to keep this quiet?
President and Chief Operating Officer, Hockey Canada
I don't believe we made any decision to keep quiet. We undertook the process to have an independent group do an investigation for us. That investigation was ongoing, as was the criminal investigation by the London Police Service. I'm not sure we kept anything quiet. We did the work we needed to do and we were prepared to respond once the investigation on the criminal level or once the investigation by our third party was complete. Unfortunately, neither one of those could be completed.
Conservative
Kevin Waugh Conservative Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK
Mr. Smith, if you want real accountability by Hockey Canada, you should have demanded that all players participate in the interviews with Hutchison. You own that. It is unacceptable that you sat back and let the investigation go on while the eight John Does, as we know, did not participate.
President and Chief Operating Officer, Hockey Canada
If I may say so, just for you and the members of the committee as well as Canadians, we borrow these players from other leagues. We take great pride in the responsibility that we have for our national team program. We've made some changes to our code of conduct. We're having discussions right now as to whether or not we can strengthen the ability to compel players we borrow to participate in an investigation regarding what happens under our care.
Conservative
Kevin Waugh Conservative Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK
So were any Hockey Canada officials at the bar that night, on June 18 and 19?
President and Chief Operating Officer, Hockey Canada
There were staff members from Hockey Canada, but none that are here in front of you.
Conservative
Kevin Waugh Conservative Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK
Okay. Did you have discussion with any of the Hockey Canada officials about what went on at the bar that night?
President and Chief Operating Officer, Hockey Canada
The third party investigator interviewed all the people who were at the bar that evening.
Conservative
Kevin Waugh Conservative Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK
This is the Hockey Canada Foundation. You make a lot of money off the foundation. A lot of charitable money goes to Hockey Canada, so, Mr. Andrews, when were you notified of these allegations? You were hosting the event in London, Ontario, with the Hockey Canada Foundation. When did you hear about these allegations? When were you informed?
Chair, Hockey Canada Foundation, Hockey Canada
Madam Chair, I was informed on May 24 of this year.
Conservative
Chair, Hockey Canada Foundation, Hockey Canada
I should clarify that the Hockey Canada Foundation has no role in the day-to-day operation of Hockey Canada.
Chair, Hockey Canada Foundation, Hockey Canada
Yes. Let me just.... If you don't mind, I'll just finish.
Chair, Hockey Canada Foundation, Hockey Canada
The Hockey Canada Foundation is made up of a board of directors—