Hockey Canada allegedly did not use any money raised from government funds to settle out of court a lawsuit filed by a woman who alleged she was sexually assaulted by eight Junior Team Canada players in 2018.
• Also read: Gang Rape: Hockey Canada leaders must explain themselves
At least that’s what the organization’s leaders said on Monday, who were due to testify about the situation before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage in the House of Commons.
Earlier in the day, the CBC network announced that Hockey Canada had received $14 million from the federal government. However, the organization’s president, Scott Smith, mentioned that the organization had to draw on some of their own investments to reach an agreement with the lady in question.
According to the indictment, the young woman was the victim of a gang rape committed by eight players from the 2018 edition of Team Canada Junior.
However, Hockey Canada officials have mentioned more than once that their investigations have not been able to pinpoint the exact events that evening, nor the identities of the eight people at fault. The organization would have contacted all players of the 2018 edition, as well as their respective teams, to update them on the situation.
Furthermore, outgoing CEO Tom Renney put the number of players who cooperated in the police investigation at between four and six, while Smith corrected the situation by mentioning that “it wasn’t the case [assurément] not between four and six, but a larger number”.
The two men added that Hockey Canada has a long journey to make the sport safer and more inclusive.