'It's not like there's something extraordinarily special about the people at Hockey Canada,' says PM
Hockey Canada has "completely lost the confidence" of Canadians, according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who reacted against the organization's resistance to changing its leadership team.
"I think the fact is Hockey Canada has completely lost the confidence of Canadians," said Trudeau, as quoted by CBC News. "It’s inconceivable that folks at Hockey Canada continue to dig in. It's not like there's something extraordinarily special about the people at Hockey Canada that means they're the only people in the country that can run an organization like this.
"There needs to be wholesale change. They need to do it. They need to realise that if we have to create an organization to get rid of Hockey Canada and create an organization called 'Canada Hockey' instead, people will look at doing that."
Read more: Hockey Canada's federal funding frozen amid sexual assault handling probe
Hockey Canada faces public and government scrutiny after it was discovered that the organisation paid $8.9 million in settlements to 21 complaints of sexual misconduct. Later, the Globe and Mail revealed that company also used player registration fees for a second fund "for matters including but not limited to sexual abuse."
Following the controversy, at least one regional federation have decided to cut ties with Hockey Canada. Companies including Tim Hortons and Scotia Bank have also decided to pull out or suspend their sponsorship to Hockey Canada because of the emerging issues. However, even with strong clamour for a change in leadership, Hockey Canada remained firm against management changes within the organization.
Andrea Skinner, interim board chair of Hockey Canada, previously stressed that they won't be making any managerial changes in the organization, saying that it will negatively impact "boys and girls who are playing hockey."
Read more: Hockey Canada unveils Action Plan to 'eliminate toxic behaviour' on and off ice
"Will the lights stay on at the rink? I don't know. We can't predict that. To me, it's not a risk worth taking," said Skinner as quoted by CBC News.
Previously, Sport Minister Pascale St-Onge called for the resignation of Hockey Canada's directors, calling for a "change within the organization."
