Hockey Canada finally comes clean on the 2018 sexual assault scandal

The scandal that has hit Hockey Canada in recent weeks has shocked many. But Hockey Canada insists it did not dip into taxpayers' money to settle a sexual assault lawsuit last May. The federation issued a statement on the matter on Tuesday.

In April, a woman claimed that eight CHL players sexually assaulted her in June 2018 after a Hockey Canada event in London, Ontario.

On Monday, a Canadian government subcommittee asked Hockey Canada officials to testify about the settlement, the amount of which is unknown. The plaintiff had asked the judge to award $3.55 million.


Hockey Canada said Tuesday that it "welcomes the opportunity" to appear before the committee.

NDP MP Peter Julian told TSN's Rick Westhead on Monday that CEO Scott Smith, former CEO Tom Renney and foundation president David Andrews were among those invited to testify on June 20. The hearing will be webcast and any executive who refuses to participate will be served with a summons, the lawmaker added.

Canada's Minister of Sport, Pascale St-Onge, has also ordered an audit of the entity's financial activity to determine whether it used public funds in the settlement.

The NHL is also investigating the matter and has vowed to punish anyone involved if necessary.

Taxpayers partially fund Hockey Canada, while the government has jurisdiction over the Federation. Hockey Canada received $33.7 million in the eight years between 2008-09 and 2016-17 from the Canadian government.