Canadian Heritage Committee on March 23rd, 2023

Evidence of meeting #71 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 athletes.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Hockey Canada’s Involvement in Alleged Sexual Assaults Committed in 2018

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk

Teresa Fowler Assistant Professor, Concordia University of Edmonton, As an Individual

Gretchen Kerr Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, As an Individual

Bruce Kidd Professor Emeritus, Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, As an Individual

Vicky Poirier President and Chief Executive Officer, ALIAS Solution Inc.

Danny Weill Executive Vice President, ALIAS Solution Inc.

Allison Forsyth Chief Operating Officer, ITP Sport and Recreation Inc.

Randall Gumbley Consultant, World Association of Icehockey Players Unions

Ilan Yampolsky Chief Executive Officer, ITP Sport and Recreation Inc.

5:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry

You have about 38 seconds.

5:45 p.m.

Liberal

Michael Coteau Liberal Don Valley East, ON

Well, in 38 seconds I'll tell a little story.

When I was involved at the Ontario legislature, a hockey coach called me. He was telling me about this young man from Rexdale who was the best hockey player on the team. There were some racial slurs said to him. He was 16 years old and six feet, four inches. He was the best player in that division. He quit hockey because of what was happening to him on the ice. I just think of those stories and of the missed opportunities because of the hurtful, hateful things said at all levels—as women, as those who are part of the LGBTQ community, as Black persons. I think we have an opportunity, as people who believe in the power of sport, to really make a difference.

I just want to say thank you to each and every one of you for the stories we've heard today and for the strength it takes to come and share your stories. Thank you for the work you're doing and continue to do. I look forward to working with all of you to look for ways to eliminate those barriers.

Thank you so much, each and every one of you.

Thank you, Chair.

5:45 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry

Thank you, Michael.

Now I would like to thank the witnesses for coming. It was an extraordinarily interesting and informative meeting. Thank you very much.

I will now declare the meeting adjourned.