Hockey Canada says it will no longer use funds created by membership fees collected across the country to settle claims of sexual harassment.
The so-called “National Equity Fund” came to light this week as the federation continued to deal with the fallout of alleged sexual assault at a four-year event in London, Ont., involving eight unnamed players and subsequent out-of-court settlement.
The news of the Secret Fund angered Canadians, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Hockey Canada states that the fund, effective immediately, will be “dedicated specifically to safety, welfare and equity initiatives as well as insurance across our organization.”
Details of the fund are included in a July 2021 affidavit sworn in by Glenn McCurdy, who was Hockey Canada’s vice president of insurance and risk management at the time, as part of a lawsuit launched by an injured player in Ontario.
“Hockey Canada maintains a reserve in a separate account to pay for any such uninsured liabilities as they arise,” McCurdy’s affidavit said. It further states that “insured liabilities include potential claims of historical sexual abuse.”
Hockey Canada has seen its federal funding cut and corporate sponsors withheld financial aid in the wake of the organization’s handling of the alleged assault and settlement, which was first reported by TSN in May.
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