Thank you, Madam Chair.
I am Lukas Walter from Langley, B.C., a former WHL and QMJHL player. I played three years in the CHL in both Canada and the U.S.A.
I come here today from B.C. to address the committee on the very important issue of Canadian hockey players' rights. I wish to share my story with this body to provide you with information that will help make hockey fairer and safer for players in the future.
During my experience in the CHL, I witnessed numerous issues that might not have occurred if there had been a third party resource that players could have had access to in times of trouble or a mental health crisis. If you would like examples, I can give you some. You can inquire.
During my time in the CHL, I was exploited financially by teams. I provided my service, which I was paid for. Since then, I have become a players' advocate for wage and hour. I am a plaintiff in the class action for wage and hour. I've stood up for players during my career on the ice and have been rewarded with praise and benefits in the form of monetary awards.
I played three years within the CHL and was entitled to three years of scholarship. When I attempted to obtain my education scholarship, I was informed by the league that it had expired because I did not use it within the first year of leaving the league. I was not aware of this. This is a prime example of why there needs to be a third party to protect players' rights and to hold the league accountable for better communication.
I now want to make the league a safer place with better working conditions, a place that is more enjoyable for the players, with a new culture that will allow players to speak out with no repercussions. I feel that a third party is needed to oversee the league and the business model, while making sure players' rights, education and safety are protected. We ask this body and the Minister of Sport to declare CHL players employees.
We are also here today to break the trend of players not speaking out.
Thank you for your time.