Strain seems to be mounting on Hockey Canada from each high company sponsors and political leaders, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggesting on Oct. 6 that if the nationwide hockey governing physique continues to withstand calls to deal with considerations about its dealing with of sexual assault claims and funding, the group might be changed.
“It’s inconceivable that people at Hockey Canada proceed to dig in. It is not like there’s one thing terribly particular concerning the individuals at Hockey Canada, meaning they’re the one individuals within the nation that may run a company like this,” Trudeau stated. “There must be wholesale change. They should do it. They should understand that if we have now to create a company—do away with Hockey Canada and create a company referred to as ‘Canada Hockey’ as a substitute, individuals will have a look at doing that.”
Whereas some sponsors initially halted their assist when allegations surfaced this summer time, together with BEO and Esso Canada, listed below are the company sponsors who’ve not too long ago confirmed pulling their assist or sustaining their pause, because the controversy continues to unfold. Right here’s what these sponsors have stated about their choices:
TIM HORTONS
“We’ve communicated to Hockey Canada on many events that the group must take sturdy and definitive motion earlier than it could possibly regain the religion and belief of Canadians. We’re deeply disillusioned within the lack of progress that Hockey Canada has made so far. We formally knowledgeable Hockey Canada this week that we have now pulled out of all males’s hockey programming for the 2022-23 season together with the boys’s world junior championships. We proceed to fund Canada’s girls’s and para hockey groups, in addition to youth hockey,” stated Tim Hortons media relations in an announcement on Oct. 5.
CANADIAN TIRE
“After cautious consideration, Canadian Tire Company has made the choice to finish its partnership with Hockey Canada. In our view, Hockey Canada continues to withstand significant change and we will now not confidently transfer ahead collectively. CTC is pleased with our dedication to sport and can proceed to put money into our beloved nationwide recreation by re-directing assist to hockey-related organizations that higher align with our values. The Respect Group, which is targeted on stopping bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination, is one in every of many organizations the place funds can be diverted. We’re dedicated to supporting hockey and sport that’s inclusive and protected for all Canadians,” stated Canadian Tire Company Senior Vice President of Communications Jane Shaw in an announcement on Oct. 5.
CHEVROLET CANADA
“We will affirm that Chevrolet Canada has stepped again from its sponsorship actions with Hockey Canada as we search extra readability on what particular steps the group has and can take following the alleged incidents of abuse. We at GM don’t have any tolerance for abuse of any form and want to see Hockey Canada return to setting a optimistic instance for all Canadians in all it does,” stated GM Canada Government Director of Communications Jennifer Wright in an announcement on Oct. 6.
SCOTIABANK
“Our sponsorship pause of Hockey Canada stays in impact. Principally, this implies a continued pause of our assist for males’s hockey all through your complete 2022/2023 season together with the upcoming World Junior Championship. In our open letter in June, we publicly referred to as on Hockey Canada to carry the sport to a better customary and we’re disillusioned with the shortage of progress so far. From Hockey Canada, we anticipate a tangible dedication to transparency with Canadians, sturdy management, accountability with their stakeholders and the hockey group, and improved security each on and off the ice. In the end our place hasn’t wavered: the time for change is lengthy overdue,” stated Scotiabank media relations in an announcement on Oct. 5.
TELUS
“We’re deeply disheartened by the shortage of motion and dedication from Hockey Canada to drive needed cultural change. TELUS won’t be sponsoring Hockey Canada’s males’s hockey packages for the 2022-23 season, together with the upcoming World Juniors event. We stay passionate followers and supporters of the game of hockey and stand dedicated to enabling systemic change to make hockey protected for all,” stated Telus media relations in an announcement on Oct. 6.