Canadian Heritage Committee on Oct. 4th, 2022

[Andrea Skinner]

I don't believe so. I was ill for one of the days of that board meeting in April, but I don't believe there was, at least not while I was in attendance.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

Has there been discussion of the 2003 allegations at any board meeting over the last few months?

[Andrea Skinner]

There would have been discussion in the context of an update from Scott Smith, which I think one of your colleagues referred me to, just to report that an investigation was ongoing.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

If I—

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you very much, Peter, that's it. You've gone over time.

We will go to the Conservatives for five minutes.

Mr. Martel and Mr. Nater, you're going to split your time. Who will begin?

Go ahead, Mr. Martel.

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Mr. Brind'Amour, was it having worked in youth protection that prompted your resignation?

[Michael Brind’Amour]

Thank you for the question, sir.

The fact that I had worked in the youth court did not affect my decision to leave office. The answer is no, Mr. Martel.

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Mr. Brind'Amour, are you surprised that you are the only one who has resigned?

I'm wondering about that and I'd like to know your opinion on it.

[Michael Brind’Amour]

Thank you for the question, sir.

As I said, this is a personal matter. Everyone has their own ideas about how they can contribute to moving things forward and making change.

Unfortunately, you are asking me to put myself in other people's shoes. My opinion doesn't necessarily count, because it has no value in this context.

That is the best answer I can give to your question, sir.

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Ms. Skinner, I'd like to pick up on the fact that you said you wanted Mr. Scott Smith to remain in office.

In your opinion, what qualities does he possess that would make it appropriate for him to remain in office?

[Andrea Skinner]

As I said in one of my previous comments, I don't believe senior management acted improperly or took inappropriate steps. I believe they handled the 2018 incident appropriately in the steps they took: contacting the police, retaining an independent law firm to investigate the allegations and contacting Sport Canada.

As I said, particularly being mindful that all nine board positions are up for election later this year and the fact that we are waiting for the results of a comprehensive governance review, we think the people we have in place are the people who are moving our action plan forward. We're making significant progress on that, and that change is happening right before our eyes with the current board and leadership.

[Richard Martel, Conservative, Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC]

Madam...

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I'm sorry, Mr. Martel. Your two and a half minutes are up.

John, do you want to go on now? Thank you.

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Mr. Brind'Amour, one last time, do you have confidence in Scott Smith to lead this organization?

[Michael Brind’Amour]

Thank you for the question, sir.

It is not my decision to make. You are asking me for my opinion. It is an organizational matter...

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

Madam Chair, could you please direct the witness to answer the question?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Could you please answer the question, Mr. Brind'Amour?

[Michael Brind’Amour]

I believe that Mr. Smith has the qualities to be able to do something positive within the organization. He is a unifier and he knows how to surround himself with people who complement him. He's hardworking...

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

Mr. Brind'Amour, it's a yes-or-no question. Do you have confidence in Mr. Smith to lead this organization?

[Michael Brind’Amour]

Yes.

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

Thank you.

Ms. Skinner, would you be in favour of directing all provincial branches to disclose to this committee information they have about historical abuse claims, including who investigated them and which funds were used to settle claims at each of the provincial organizations?

[Andrea Skinner]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Respectfully, I think that information should be directed to the independent third party mechanism, which is fully equipped to be able to review and report on those claims.

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

With respect, Ms. Skinner, what we've seen from the independent investigator in the past is hiding behind solicitor-client privilege. In a sense, Hockey Canada is using solicitor-client privilege to hide third party investigations.

I'm asking you, as chair of this board and in an effort to see meaningful change, whether these historical claims at the provincial level ought to be provided to this committee.

[Andrea Skinner]

I would have to think about that, sir, because I would have significant concerns about privacy. For the young woman at the centre of the 2018 incident, unfortunately, this has been a much more public process than she had envisioned. I'd want to think carefully about the ramifications of what you've proposed from a complainant's or victim's rights perspective and from a privacy perspective.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you. I think your time is up.

I would like to go to Mr. Housefather for the Liberals, for five minutes, please.