Evidence of meeting #40 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 investigation.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
When you submitted your preliminary report, what were the recommendations?
Partner, Henein Hutchison LLP
This is an area that Hockey Canada has asserted solicitor-client privilege. I'm not authorized to waive it on their behalf.
I have been advised to request that my answer be provided in camera if I'm directed to answer this question.
Conservative
Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
Can we know what the reaction was of Hockey Canada officials to that report?
Partner, Henein Hutchison LLP
I'm not sure I'm in the best position to answer that. My role and my mandate did not include the area of compliance, shall I say, in order to kind of follow through recommendations into implementation. My role is to provide independent, impartial recommendations that can be either accepted or rejected by an organization.
Conservative
Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
Did you work with Hockey Canada officials to put in place certain recommendations?
Partner, Henein Hutchison LLP
I hope my earlier answer raised that. I was not engaged to participate in implementation or compliance.
Conservative
Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
What happened between the filing of your preliminary report in October 2018 and the closing of the investigation in September 2020?
Conservative
Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
There was still a lapse of time.
What happened between the time you started the investigation and the time you closed it? What did you do during that time?
Conservative
Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
Between the time you started the investigation in 2018 and the time you closed it in 2020.
Conservative
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
I'm sorry. The time is up. I gave a 30-second warning. You will be able to answer that through another question, Ms. Robitaille.
We'll now go to the second set of questions.
For the Liberals, it will be Anthony Housefather for six minutes.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you for appearing today.
Did you speak with anyone at Hockey Canada or its representatives to prepare for your testimony today?
Partner, Henein Hutchison LLP
I can advise the members of the committee and Madam Chair that I sent a copy of my opening statement to counsel for Hockey Canada in advance of my attendance here before you. Apart from that, I did not engage with Hockey Canada in preparation for my attendance today.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Thank you.
Was this the first mandate you received from Hockey Canada?
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Perfect.
When you were speaking with Hockey Canada during the course of the mandate, was there contact with Mr. McCurdie, or did you ever have occasion to speak to Mr. Smith or Mr. Renney or other members of the Hockey Canada staff?
Partner, Henein Hutchison LLP
I dealt primarily with Mr. McCurdie. I did have an opportunity to participate in conference calls with senior leadership at the outset.
I hope that assists.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Have you ever presented your findings to the Hockey Canada board?
Partner, Henein Hutchison LLP
I think I need some clarification on your question. As I indicated, the player conduct investigation is active and ongoing. There would be no opportunity to present to the board since the investigation has not concluded.
In relation to the interim report, I've indicated the date of its delivery, and this again is an area where I know Hockey Canada is asserting a solicitor-client privilege.