Canadian Heritage Committee on July 27th, 2022

[Karen Vecchio, Conservative, Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON]

That's fair.

[Barry F. Lorenzetti]

—on behalf of insurers. I think that question is better served to be directed towards AIG.

[Karen Vecchio, Conservative, Elgin—Middlesex—London, ON]

Okay, fair enough.

As I'm looking at this, we had these set up. When I pull up AIG and the first thing I see is Bill Cosby, it's concerning to me. It shows me that we are allowing this type of culture, whether it's Bill Cosby or other players.

This is something that I had a concern about, because we are supporting financially these types of behaviours and paying off people and silencing people. That is what we're doing through these types of insurance. I know that we need them, because at the end of the day the victim does need to have something and they're not going to be whole. I do understand that there are two sides to this, but I wonder if we step back and say we are insuring sexual assault, we are insuring sexual abuse, what is right about this?

These are some of the concerns that I have, and I'm hoping that insurance companies are asking for proof, measurables. We want to see. My insurance gets cancelled if I make multiple claims because I've been in multiple accidents.

I'm wondering if there are ever concerns that Hockey Canada sits there and says, “Wow, we have a lot of claims happening here.” Twelve may not seem a lot, but it sure sounds like a lot to me, because these are just reported claims.

Are you asking for more or better information coming from Hockey Canada as they move forward?

[Barry F. Lorenzetti]

Madam Chair, as I mentioned in my opening statement, I am very encouraged with the changes, the action plan and the communication that's now coming from Hockey Canada. They have admitted that it's long overdue. I think we've got to give them some time. This is not going to happen overnight, but to put a positive spin on this, I think doing something is better than just ignoring it again, so I'm optimistic.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Karen, I think that's it. Thank you very much.

I'm going to Lisa Hepfner for the Liberals for five minutes.

[Lisa Hepfner, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Thank you, Chair, and through you I'd like to thank Mr. Lorenzetti for being here today.

Mr. Lorenzetti, I apologize if some of these questions start to sound a bit repetitive, but I'm wondering if you can talk to us about this fund to be used in case something is not insurable. Do other organizations have a fund like this that they keep in reserve in case they have sexual assaults that wouldn't be covered by insurance?

[Barry F. Lorenzetti]

Madam Chair, I really don't think I'm in any position to comment on other organizations and what their funds are made of. The only comment I can make is that it's not uncommon to reserve. I think it's prudent to risk management and prudent practice.

[Lisa Hepfner, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Why would an organization like Hockey Canada choose to use the reserve fund to settle a sexual assault claim without even waiting to see if their insurance coverage would cover it?

[Barry F. Lorenzetti]

Madam Chair, again, with all due respect, I think this question is better asked of the party to the contract, which is Hockey Canada, not their broker.

[Lisa Hepfner, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Okay.

I don't know if I have any other questions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

You have no more questions left, Ms. Hepfner?

[Lisa Hepfner, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

No, I'm good, Hedy. Thanks very much.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thanks very much, Lisa.

That brings us to the end of this final round. We're coming to the end of our hour.

I want to thank Mr. Lorenzetti for coming here and answering questions, some of which were not appropriate for him to answer because he's a broker and not the insurer.

I'm pleased to hear, Mr. Lorenzetti, that you talked about risk management with Hockey Canada and made recommendations for them in the future.

I would like to thank the clerk and the interpreters. This has been a long session. Four hours is a very long time. I want to thank them for taking the time on a lovely summer afternoon to come here.

I also want to say that we have people whom we wish to hear from again. That is AIG themselves and someone from Sport Canada who has been ill and is prepared to come at another time.

With that, I want to thank everyone for coming together. Good questions were asked.

I will see you when I see you.

Thank you everybody.

[Sébastien Lemire, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

My thanks to the clerk and interpreters.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you.

No one objects to a motion to adjourn.

The meeting is adjourned.