Evidence of meeting #41 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.
2:35 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
I see everybody nodding and I gather that means you're in agreement.
We go to the second round. It's a five-minute round. We will begin with the Conservatives. I don't know who is going to do this.
2:40 p.m.
Conservative
Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair. I'll be taking the floor.
I will return to the subject raised by my colleague for the riding of Mount Royal.
Mr. Lorenzetti, what part of the claim was covered and what wasn't, in the case of the plaintiff involved in the events on June 18, 2018?
2:40 p.m.
Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, BFL Canada
With all due respect, it is not up to me as a broker. It is up to the insurance company, AIG Canada, to answer that question correctly.
I may have some ideas, but AIG Canada drafted the document and would be in a better position to respond.
2:40 p.m.
Conservative
Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
Do you know how many claims Hockey Canada makes per year with their insurer for sexual assaults?
2:40 p.m.
Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, BFL Canada
Are you talking about the number of claims?
2:40 p.m.
Conservative
2:40 p.m.
Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, BFL Canada
Since Mr. Smith's assistant divulged it this morning, I think I can answer the question.
From 1988 to the end of 2021, we have had 12 claims pertaining to sexual misconduct.
2:40 p.m.
Conservative
Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
What are your thoughts on the actions taken by Hockey Canada's leadership regarding the events of June 18, 2018?
Do you still trust Mr. Smith to run Hockey Canada?
2:40 p.m.
Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, BFL Canada
It's not up to me to say. I'm not comfortable answering that question.
As Mr. Smith said, the board of directors made the decision. It is not I, but Hockey Canada's administration, that will have to decide Mr. Smith's future.
2:40 p.m.
Conservative
Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
Madam Chair, I would like to give my time to my colleague, Ms. Vecchio.
2:40 p.m.
Conservative
Karen Vecchio Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON
Hi. I think it's going to be me, Hedy, so I'm just going to continue with this.
2:40 p.m.
Conservative
Karen Vecchio Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON
Thanks very much.
Just looking at this, I'm wondering if there's been any advice to Hockey Canada on how they could lessen the risk of, and perhaps exposure to, future claims that might be coming forward.
2:40 p.m.
Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, BFL Canada
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Are you asking about recommendations from our firm?
2:40 p.m.
Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, BFL Canada
I'm very pleased you asked that question.
We are in regular contact with Hockey Canada. That's not me personally, but we have a team devoted to Hockey Canada. We are risk advising on a regular basis with respect to.... For example, we suggested—and I was very pleased to see this in their action plan—background checks on players. We've recommended coach and staff credentiality and advanced investigations, and health care. We've introduced and promoted through Hockey Canada, through what we refer to as a “players' health program”, education and training in abuse prevention, in concussion awareness, reporting and investigations. Hockey Canada has also included in their action plan recommendations dealing with reporting platforms for athletes, injury management administrative platforms.
I can go on and on on this.
2:40 p.m.
Conservative
Karen Vecchio Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON
No, I really appreciate it.
I'm just looking at this, because when you talk about education, I think of driver's ed. When you take driver's ed, it reduces your insurance premiums. Obviously, you want to see some sort of measurables. What are your expectations? You provide recommendations, but what are your expectations? At the end of the day, we don't want to use your insurance company. That should be what insurance is all about.
What are they doing? What measurables are there to see that they don't have more claims?
2:40 p.m.
Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, BFL Canada
One other point I would add, that I was very pleased that Hockey Canada accepted our recommendation, was to bring in Natasha Johnston on the leadership team for health and safety. This lady was previously working with Ringette Canada, so she brings a lot of experience in this field.
It's really an ongoing process. As I said, our team is devoted, our Hockey Canada insurance team, to spending the time necessary to bring—
2:45 p.m.
Conservative
2:45 p.m.
Conservative
Karen Vecchio Conservative Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON
When we're looking at players and management and coaches, have all of these been focused on? I know that some are coaches, but when it comes to players, are the majority of these claims on players or coaching?
2:45 p.m.
Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, BFL Canada
In the majority of these claims, actually the players are the victims in probably 90% to 95% of the cases. That's a very good point. This is really centred around the coaching and the trainers. That's where we get most of our claims.