'This has shone a light on a very big gap': Maritimers in hockey react to Hockey Canada scandal
For hockey coach, player, and parent Andrew Lockyer, the sport has helped provide a special bond between him and his daughter, a 16-year-old goalie.
“This is her 10th season, she’s played on various teams, she loves the sport, it's definitely something that she and I share,” he says.
For him, the latest Hockey Canada scandal has touched a nerve.
The thought that minor hockey registration money was being used to pay for uninsured liabilities at the organization, including to settle sexual abuse claims, doesn't sit well.
“Our registration fees should be going towards the kids, should be going towards development, and putting these programs in place to ensure the players are ultimately benefiting,” says Lockyer.
“A lot of us who pay an awful lot of money for our kids to play, want to make sure that it's going towards the kids.”
Provincial hockey organizations in the Maritimes are considering their stance, as the national body continues to come under fire.
The pressure on Hockey Canada began in May when it was revealed the organization settled a lawsuit with a woman alleging sexual assault by eight players from the 2018 junior men's hockey team at a June gala event in London, Ont.
That allegation is the subject of three investigations by London police, the National Hockey League and Hockey Canada.
Those at the grassroots of the game in the Maritimes says it’s time for the sport and its governing body to take a hard look at itself.
“I think like every other Canadian right now it's just shock, and a little bit of disappointment,” says Sarah Hilworth, the head coach of the University of New Brunswick's Reds female hockey team.
Hilworth says the stakes are high for female players in the country, many who aspire to play on the national team.
Changing the culture of the organization, she says, is necessary to preserve the game.
“I believe that there needs to be more diversity in our game, whether it's gender, with minorities, people of colour, disability,” Hilworth said. “I believe that there needs to be a positive reflection of who we are as Canadians and it's our Canadian game.”
Sports Sociologist Cheryl MacDonald echoes that sentiment. Now an associate director of the Centre for the Study of Sport and Health at Saint Mary’s University, she’s studied various aspects of the sport over the years, most recently focusing on resource disparity faced by women in the game.
“This has shone a light on a very big gap,” says MacDonald. “In terms of respect and equality for women’s hockey and for women more broadly.”
She says changing how things have been done in the upper echelons of the game means bringing more diverse voices from outside into the boardrooms.
“To celebrate the different perspectives and skills that they bring to the game and its structure has to start happening,” she says. “I don't think we have a choice anymore.”
Lockyer hopes the scandal won't keep families like his from enjoying the sport for generations to come.
“Hopefully the hockey community as a whole can look at this and move forward to heal,” he says.
What happens next in the top ranks of Hockey Canada will reverberate down on the ice.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.