Evidence of meeting #86 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 boxing.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5 p.m.
Conservative
Martin Shields Conservative Bow River, AB
As we learned from fencing, it might be the favour of the coach. It has nothing to do with the competition. It might be where they're from. I don't think boxing today is a lot different from what it was in the past.
How are you going to change that?
5 p.m.
Executive Director, Boxing Canada
Boxing Canada is committed to simplifying and objectifying selection policies and procedures to the best of our ability. One of the advantages of direct combat sports that are not essentially point-based is that you have a clear winner and a clear loser.
5 p.m.
Conservative
Martin Shields Conservative Bow River, AB
Yes, judges make points, which is a huge controversy when you have three judges. Who knows what that is based on? It's not the first across the finish line—is it?
5 p.m.
Executive Director, Boxing Canada
No, it is not, but the referee and judging system we have in Canada, in my estimation, is world-leading in trying to make sure they have as much accountability as the rule book will allow them to have.
5 p.m.
Conservative
Martin Shields Conservative Bow River, AB
Because you've just moved into the job you're in, you're looking for accountability in your organization. Do you believe Sport Canada is looking for accountability to fix the problems you've had?
5 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Thank you very much, Martin.
We are now going to Chris Bittle for the Liberals.
Chris, you have five minutes.
5 p.m.
Liberal
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
Thank you so much, Madam Chair.
I appreciate everyone being here. I know these are difficult stories to tell.
I'd like to focus on hockey.
It's been troubling, in Niagara, to see it time and again. We've had two general managers of the local OHL team suspended in a row, even with new ownership. It seems the problems keep continuing, as Mr. Walter mentioned.
Ms. Taylor, you mentioned that you didn't want to get into the business model, but do you believe that leads to the problems in the CHL?
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
5:05 p.m.
Player and Family Ice Hockey Advocate, As an Individual
I don't know what their policy and procedures are.
I had an issue. My son's entrance into the Western Hockey League, and his exit, were both disasters.
In my son's case, he had a groin injury. He came late to the team. I think we had to drive him to L.A. This is before there were direct flights from San Diego to Calgary. We drove him to L.A. He got on a plane by himself, as a teenager, went to Denver, got to Calgary, and then got on another plane and flew to Lethbridge. The GM picked him up, dropped off his bags at the billet and told him to get his clothes on, go to the rink, meet the coaches, get his equipment on and play in an exhibition game.
He never warmed up with the team. He never knew their team systems. He is one of those whom you hear about. On his first shift, he came out, got checked from behind—headfirst into the boards—and was out with a concussion. The other player had a multiple-game suspension, but the damage was done. He was tired. He wasn't fed. He didn't have his own equipment. He was wearing new equipment. He didn't warm up with the team.
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
5:05 p.m.
Player and Family Ice Hockey Advocate, As an Individual
Why was it so necessary to have him on the ice that night, in a game that didn't matter? It was an exhibition game.
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
I'd like to turn to Mr. Walter.
We've heard from other witnesses about the difficulties and exclusions that different provinces have for CHL leagues that are excluded from provincial employment standards legislation.
Do you feel that's an important step for provinces to take—to include athletes, such as CHL athletes, back into provincial employment legislation?
5:05 p.m.
As an Individual
I think, with the CHL, it is pretty difficult, because, as well as teams all over provinces, you also have teams in the States. It's tough, but you need a general thing on how to.... That's why, with a third party, you are essentially looking out for all the organizations, including the teams in the States.
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
Would a union be a better vehicle to achieve that goal rather than a governing body that might look after teams and be policing teams? We've seen in professional leagues such things as the NHLPA, which seemingly acts for players, protects players and acts in their best interests. Is that something you would like to see again, through provincial legislation that would allow players to unionize?
5:05 p.m.
As an Individual
Yes. I would definitely say there should be a union, but also within that union you need a group of ex-players, because they know what they're talking about. You see countless people in unions who have never played the sport. They know nothing about the game. They don't know where you've been. At the end of the day you need those ex-players to make the game a better place for all athletes.
It goes even further: When players are done with that, they can also learn to fill in those positions within the union to make it better and better.
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
Thank you so much, Madam Chair.
Again, I just want to say thank you. I know it's a difficult task to come here, but you have every party here listening and seeking to take action and make recommendations. I do want to say thank you.
5:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Thank you, Chris.
We have time for one more round, guys.
I will start with Richard Martel.
Richard, go ahead for five minutes, please.
5:05 p.m.
Conservative
Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I thank the witnesses for being here today. Their testimonies are interesting.
I'll start with Mr. Walter.
Mr. Walter, you think you should have a bigger salary. We've heard that junior teams pay for food, lodging, studies and a substitute teacher.
Is this the same in other organizations? Do all teams offer the same conditions and salary? Do you think 18-, 19- or 20-year-old players receive the same?
5:10 p.m.
As an Individual
Absolutely not. Everywhere you go it's going to be different. Honestly, for the billets, the people who take us, that's pretty much volunteer work. They don't get paid nearly what you think. We could probably find those numbers somehow. They don't get paid much. Within that payment is the food the billets provide for us. Really, at the end of the day, they're making money off of volunteers here. With the billets, it's pretty much a volunteer thing.
As for the gear, that's all from sponsorship. The gear is covered by sponsors and stuff like that. In terms of costs, yes, you need to fill up the bus and stuff like that. You have to pay some people. With respect to the billets and all that, it's pretty much volunteer work.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Richard Martel Conservative Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, QC
If you were paid a salary, you'd have to pay for food and lodging. I don't see why an employer would pay a salary while offering these benefits.
What salary do you think you're entitled to? I don't know if you can answer that. If you were paid a salary, you wouldn't have all these tuition and scholarship benefits. How do you see it?