Halifax Regional Council has confirmed its support for the IIHF World Junior Championship in Halifax and Moncton, following information that Hockey Canada’s board will resign.
Speaking throughout a particular council assembly Tuesday night, Mayor Mike Savage stated the best way Hockey Canada has dealt with allegations of sexual assault by gamers is “unsuitable,” however given the pending resignations, he feels optimistic about internet hosting the World Juniors in December.
“We’re gonna go forward and … put this event on and we’re gonna do a hell of a job of it, as we all the time do,” stated Savage.
Hockey Canada introduced Tuesday morning that CEO Scott Smith and your complete board of administrators would step down.
The nationwide ice hockey physique has come beneath intense scrutiny in the previous few weeks over its dealing with of sexual assault allegations. One incident alleges a gaggle sexual assault occurred in Halifax in 2003, involving members of that yr’s Canadian world junior group.
Savage stated neither Halifax nor the gamers on this yr’s event ought to be penalized for what allegedly occurred years in the past.
“That’s a very long time in the past now and it would not be honest to carry that towards children who’re taking part in hockey at present, and it wasn’t the residents of Halifax who did something unsuitable at that time limit,” Savage informed CBC News after the assembly.
Coun. Shawn Cleary stated the resignations at Hockey Canada wanted to occur, and he is glad he can now totally support the event.
“I feel the indication was that we are actually the place we needed to be when it comes to Hockey Canada taking accountability, accountability,” stated Cleary.
Some councillors raised issues that sweeping management change on the nationwide group will not be sufficient. Coun. Lisa Blackburn stated Hockey Canada wants “full systematic change.”
“Through their actions, they’ve taught these boys, who are actually males, that it is OK to make use of ladies any approach they need and so they’ll be supported,” stated Blackburn.
“They’ve taught these boys … that it is OK to cowl up that wrongdoing and bury it from scrutiny.”
Blackburn stated she’d prefer to see the municipality take any doable motion to make sure security in the course of the event and occasions sooner or later.
City workers responded that they’re in ongoing funding negotiations with Hockey Canada, and will likely be qualifying their funding with commitments like a code of conduct. Those negotiations will likely be finalized within the coming weeks.
Reactions to resignations
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs informed reporters Tuesday that he and Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston agree that this transfer from Hockey Canada is “a step in the fitting path.”
“But what does it imply? A change of guard, however what does that imply when it comes to course of and procedures, and what are they going to implement otherwise?” stated Higgs.
Houston stated in a press release Tuesday that he is “happy” to see the modifications at Hockey Canada and hopes will probably be the start of significant change.
Amy Walsh, government director of Hockey Nova Scotia, stated in a press release that the group helps the management modifications introduced at Hockey Canada, however stated that they may want to regain the general public’s “belief and confidence.”
“We acknowledge there are critical points within the sport and far work should be finished to enhance the tradition of hockey,” stated Walsh.