Hockey Canada CEO Scott Smith and the entire Board of Directors are stepping down

After his three months at the helm of Hockey Canada was embroiled in controversy and the organization faced calls for a major leadership change, Chief Executive Officer Scott Smith is stepping down “effective immediately.”

Additionally, the entire Board of Directors of Hockey Canada has agreed to step down “in recognition of the urgent need for new leadership and perspective.”

In a statement announcing the changes to the leadership team, Hockey Canada said an “interim management committee will be appointed” to lead the organization pending the next list of directors appointing a new CEO. Smith has headed the organization since July 1.

The appointment of a whole new board is expected to come “at the latest” by the recently postponed elections, now set for December 17th. The organization has called on candidates to create “the future” of Hockey Canada.

The scandal dates back to May of this year, when TSN first reported that Hockey Canada had reached an undisclosed settlement with a woman who claimed she was sexually assaulted in London, Ontario. by several members of Canada’s junior ice hockey team in 2018.

In June, the federal government froze its funds to Hockey Canada and ordered a financial audit. This month, federal politicians began investigating Hockey Canada’s handling of alleged sexual assault allegations and lawsuit payouts.

Then in July, The Canadian Press revealed that the organization’s “National Equity Fund,” supplemented in part by small hockey registration fees, was used to pay “uninsured liabilities” such as sex abuse claims, a practice that the organization later confirmed that it had been hired.

Days later, another allegation of gang sexual assault involving members of Canada’s junior ice hockey team surfaced in 2003. While police and NHL investigations are ongoing, the allegations have not been proven in court.

• Timeline: Hockey Canada’s Handling of Sexual Assault Allegations in 2018 https://www.ctvnews.ca/sports/timeline-hockey-canada-s-handling-of-2018-sexual-assault-allegation-1.5998499

As part of the House of Commons Heritage Committee’s ongoing study into “Safe Sport in Canada,” Secretary of Sport Pascale St-Onge and several key current and former officials of Hockey Canada have appeared as witnesses on the matter.

The testimonies heard and Hockey Canada’s continued handling of the scandal, which is making headlines, have prompted all parties to call for a change in top leadership and full disclosure of the facts with a clear reform plan.

During a meeting, Hockey Canada announced that it had paid out $7.6 million in settlements related to nine sexual assault and abuse claims since 1989, not including the most recent payout to the London plaintiff.

Appearing before the committee in July, Smith acknowledged concerns expressed by politicians, athletes and advertisers, saying Hockey Canada understands that “Canadians’ trust in us has been eroded.”

“We are committed to taking every action possible to get it back,” Smith said at the hearing. “I know you want … answers, and you want real action to be taken to end the culture of silence that allows toxic behavior and sexism to smolder in corners of our game, so do I.”

Last week, after Hockey Canada interim CEO Andrea Skinner testified that it wasn’t worth risking the lights out at Canada’s rinks should all senior executives go, several major sponsors pulled, including Canadian Tire , Nike and Tim Hortons declined their support, citing disappointment at the organization’s apparent resistance to change.

The latest testimony also prompted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to suggest the organization could be replaced, saying it is “baffling that Hockey Canada continues to dig in its heels”.

Skinner resigned over the weekend, saying it no longer made sense for her to volunteer her time, citing “recent events.” Her appearance on the committee was alongside former chairman Michael Brind’Amour, who left the organization in August.

Hockey Canada – which has hired a PR firm to help deal with the controversy – has pledged to address concerns about the safety of the sport, made changes to how certain funds are used and charged a former Supreme Court Justice with conducting a Governance review commissioned. It has also released an “Action Plan” outlining how they intend to implement this promised reform.

Canada’s national ice hockey association said Tuesday the interim management committee will “focus on day-to-day operations” and ensure progress is made on its commitments, as well as implement the recommendations of the leadership review.

With files from Jennifer Ferreira of CTV News and The Canadian Press