Hockey Canada will not collect participation fees for the 2022-23 season

CALGARY — Hockey Canada said Tuesday that the organization will not collect participation fees for the upcoming season.

These fees are usually $3 per player.

Several provincial federations had already decided to withhold these funds intended for Hockey Canada because of the sex scandals that have sown the national federation in turmoil for several months.

Ex-judge Thomas Cromwell is writing a report assessing governance at Hockey Canada after the body mishandled sexual assault allegations involving National Junior Team players who competed at the 2018 Worlds.

Cromwell was commissioned to write the report after it was revealed that the agency has settled for an undisclosed sum with the alleged victim.

A second police investigation is also underway into an alleged gang rape involving members of the 2003 National Junior Team.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.

Hockey Canada executives have had to testify several times before Parliament’s Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, as that department oversees federal funding for national sports organizations.

Scott Smith was ousted as president and CEO of Hockey Canada and his entire board resigned Oct. 11, following a parliamentary hearing the previous week.

The board will remain in place until a new interim board is elected at Hockey Canada’s annual general meeting on Dec. 17.

This council will sit for a one-year transition period rather than the usual two years.