Hockey Canada makes rule changes aimed at repairing its tarnished reputation

Hockey Canada has changed its board nomination process, saying it represents « tangible action » in response to calls for change in the governing body.

Hockey Canada and its members have passed new bylaws ahead of the selection of a new board of directors, which is set to take place Dec. 17. Among the changes:

• All nominations for positions on the Hockey Canada Board of Directors, including that of Chair, will be reviewed and approved by the Independent Nominating Committee. No names will be added to the ballot without the approval of the Nominating Committee.
• The new board elected later this year will serve a one-year term as a transition board, rather than the usual two years. The transition board will focus on accomplishing the major urgent tasks that need to be accomplished in the short term.

The deadline for applications is November 10 to allow the nominating committee sufficient time to engage a third-party recruitment firm to assist with the vetting process and due diligence. The final list of candidates will be provided to members on November 28th.

The changes are in line with tentative recommendations made by former Supreme Court Justice Thomas Cromwell.

Cromwell is in the midst of a full governance review of Hockey Canada, which he was tasked with earlier this year after it was revealed the organization had reached an undisclosed settlement with a woman who alleged she was assaulted sexually by eight players, including members of the country’s 2018 World Junior Team.

The entire board of the national sport’s governing body, along with CEO Scott Smith, resigned on Monday after months of scandal, in which sponsors and members have thrown their weight behind mismanagement by the organization of the alleged sexual assaults.

Major corporate sponsors – such as Bauer Hockey, Nike, Telus, Scotiabank, Tim Hortons and Esso – have suspended or halted operations for the coming year while Canadian Tire has ended its partnership with Hockey Canada, saying that he could no longer confidently move forward as the organization « continues to resist meaningful change ».

Files from The Canadian Press were used in this report

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