Danielle Robitaille, a partner at the law firm Henein Hutchison LLP, will answer questions at the standing committee on Canadian Heritage about the firm’s inconclusive investigation into a controversy that has put Canada’s national hockey governing body under unprecedented public scrutiny. and political control. In May 2022, Hockey Canada settled a $3.55 million lawsuit filed in April by a woman who claims she was sexually assaulted by eight former Canadian Hockey League (CHL) players following a Hockey Canada Foundation event in London, Ont. in June 2018. The allegations have not been proven in court. Hockey Canada officials he previously told the committee that while players on the 2018 World Junior Hockey Team were encouraged to participate in the third-party survey, they were not required to do so. Executives also said the vast majority of players did not speak to investigators and that the investigation failed to identify the players involved in the alleged gang sexual assault. Hockey Canada said last week it would they no longer use a fund maintained by membership fees to settle sexual assault lawsuits. THE ORGANIZATION announced on Monday that it will commit to a number of other changes, including enhanced training focused on masculinity, consent and toxic behaviour, and a global code of conduct to prevent and tackle abuse in sport. London, Ont., police announced last week that they will reopen their investigation into the alleged assault. Police had launched a criminal investigation in June 2018, which ended eight months later without charges being laid. Sports Minister Pascale St-Onge is also due to appear at the committee hearing.
