The entire Board of Directors and embattled CEO Scott Smith have all resigned from Hockey Canada.
A statement released Tuesday from the sport's governing body announced the resignations following months of controversy after it was found that Hockey Canada was using money from registration fees to fund settlements with those who had accused hockey players of sexual assault. The criticism ramped up after it was reported that Hockey Canada had paid a settlement to a woman who had accused members of the Canadian national junior team of sexual assault stemming from an incident in a London hotel room in 2018.
"An interim management committee will be put in place, which will guide the organization until no later than a newly constituted Board appoints a new CEO to lead the organization," the statement said.
Hockey Canada says it will continue to provide updates going forward, as a new board is slated to be voted on virtually on December 17 this year. Until that time, a temporary board will be put in place to help oversee daily operations.
In recent weeks, Hockey Canada has had provincial bodies like Hockey Quebec and the Ontario Hockey Federation pull registration fee payments, and many high level sponsors have pulled their funding. Those include Tim Horton's, Sobeys, Esso, Bauer, Canadian Tire, Telus and many others who all stated they would not be supporting the men's hockey programs until change was made at the top. Support and funding for the women's, para-hockey and youth programs are continuing.
"The interim Management Committee will focus on day-to-day operations and ensure progress on the implementation of Hockey Canada’s Action Plan, including reviewing and working with the Board and Members towards the full implementation of the independent governance review recommendations from The Honourable Thomas Cromwell, C.C., former Supreme Court Justice as well as working to facilitate the effective transition to a new CEO and Board," the statement from Hockey Canada added.
