New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs says the province is “fully aligned” with Nova Scotia in its decision to monitor Hockey Canada’s response to the controversy over its handling of sexual assault allegations, before hosting the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Higgs told reporters Friday he wants to see “some concrete action in relation to the concerns.”
The tournament is set to be held in Halifax and Moncton. Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said Thursday he wants to see “some meaningful changes” before it goes forward.
Higgs said Friday cutting ties with the event is not off the table.
“We have considered it… But we’ll do that jointly with our colleagues in Nova Scotia, because there wouldn’t be a separate decision made,” he said.
“All considerations are being a part of the equation.”
New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are a joint sponsor of the event, and Higgs said he hopes it won’t get to the point where the provinces need to pull out of the tournament. According to him, a decision will be made in the coming weeks.
“I would say by the end of October, it really shouldn’t be any longer than that,” Higgs said.
“Tim and I are fully aligned on next steps and how we move together as a partner in this event.”
Hockey Nova Scotia said Thursday it will be formally suspending the transfer of participant assessment fees to Hockey Canada for the 2022-23 season. This comes after Ontario’s provincial federations for the sport made the same call, and after Hockey Quebec announced it is cutting ties with its federal counterpart.
The list of sponsors dropping Hockey Canada is growing. To date, it includes among others Telus, Tim Hortons, Canadian Tire and Sobeys, which recently said it is “disgusted” by the allegations.
Halifax and Moncton mayors issued a joint statement Friday afternoon.
The cities have “the local expertise and experience to welcome the world’s best young hockey players,” said Halifax Mayor Mike Savage and Moncton Mayor Dawn Arnold. “But we are deeply concerned about Hockey Canada’s lack of judgement and professionalism.”
The two echoed the premiers’ call for “meaningful changes” prior to the 2023 championshi
Hockey New Brunswick cutting ties with federation
Hockey New Brunswick says it will not pay its $3 per player participant fee to the national governing body.
The provincial hockey association says it acknowledges growing concern about hockey culture and the sport’s governance in Canada.
The decision to cut ties with the federal governing body follows similar moves by Hockey Ontario, Hockey Quebec and Hockey Nova Scotia.
Hockey Canada has been under intense scrutiny since May, when it was revealed an undisclosed settlement had been paid to a woman who alleged in a $3.55-million lawsuit she was sexually assaulted by eight players — including members of the country’s world junior team — after a 2018 gala in London, Ont.
More coming.
— With files from The Canadian Press.
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