The entire board of Hockey Canada has stepped down after CEO Scott Smith came under fire for the handling of sexual assault allegations by two Canadian world junior teams.
Smith had resisted calls by MPs to resign following Parliamentary hearings investigating Hockey Canada’s response to allegations of group sexual assaults by 2003 and 2018 teams.
The announcement that the entire board were stepping down comes three days after the interim chair of the board Andrea Skinner tendered her resignation.
That same day Canadian manufacturer Bauer announced they were pausing its role as the official equipment provider to the men’s teams and its sponsorship of men’s tournaments.
An interim management committee will be put in place until a new board appoints a replacement CEO, Hockey Canada said in a statement.
The moves are being made in recognition of “the urgent need for new leadership and perspectives,” Hockey Canada’s statement reads. “Pursuant to Hockey Canada’s By-Laws, the Board will ask its Members to select a new slate of directors by no later than the forthcoming virtual election scheduled for December 17, 2022.”
