‘It’s just mind-blowing:’ Experts baffled by Hockey Canada’s scandal response
The Canadian Press
Joshua Clipperton and Rosa Saba
Experts say Hockey Canada’s “scorched-earth” response to criticism over its mishandling of alleged sexual assaults could sink the sport’s national governing body as we know it today.
“The logic of their entrenchment is beyond reason … it’s just mind-blowing,” said Paloma Raggo, a professor at Carleton University’s School of Public Policy and Administration who teaches philanthropy and non-profit leadership.
“Are they willingly trying to sink this organization?”
Many organizations, from corporations like banks to charities and amateur sports bodies such as Hockey Canada, are governed by boards of directors. Hockey Canada’s board oversees its management and staff, and is elected by its member provincial hockey federations.
Raggo said Hockey Canada’s bylaws include a mechanism where member organizations can call a special meeting to revoke individual board directors, and questioned why this mechanism hasn’t been used yet.
Raggo said Hockey Canada’s bylaws include a mechanism where member organizations can call a special meeting to revoke individual board directors, and questioned why this mechanism hasn’t been used yet.
Raggo likened the Hockey Canada scandal to recent stories about Gymnastics Canada and the WE charity, and said it’s clear more oversight is needed of the entire Canadian non-profit sector.
Hockey Canada released an action plan to address safe sport issues and has appointed former Supreme Court justice Thomas Cromwell to conduct a governance review, which Raggo said is a positive step.