Hockey Alberta demands action from Hockey Canada
Hockey Alberta says it is taking its own steps to make the game safer in light of how its national body has handled sexual assault allegations.
“Allegations of maltreatment, regardless of where or when they occur in our sport, need to be investigated and adjudicated by individuals with specialized skills,” Hockey Alberta said on its website in an update to members.
CTV News Edmonton reached out to Hockey Alberta multiple times but the organization refused an on-camera interview or to answer any questions.
“We need a different image of what it is to be a man in hockey,” said Tim Skuce, an associate professor of Education at Brandon University who researches hockey culture.
“We found heteronormativity, misogyny, homophobia, stoicism. There’s a lot of these qualities that we don’t even talk about that are being cultivated, not always consciously, about who we are and how we have to behave on the ice,” he said.
This season, Hockey Alberta said it has brought in a Maltreatment Officer and four investigators to deal with potential incidents. It said it has also created an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) committee.
It believes a national framework to improve the overall hockey culture is needed.
“Hockey Alberta has requested that Hockey Canada take certain actions and provide answers by specific deadlines,” the organization wrote.
“We have outlined that a lack of action may lead to Hockey Alberta taking other actions which include, but are not limited to, withholding participant fees.”
The organization said it’s committed to working towards a better hockey system.
Skuce said it’s encouraging. “We can change how we perceive ourselves, and others, and hockey, and the culture of hockey.”
Hockey Canada faced more fallout this week with further sponsors cutting ties and growing calls for an overhaul to the organization’s leadership.
With files from CTV Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
NEW 'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.