Halifax confirms support for World Juniors following Hockey Canada resignations
CBC
Halifax Regional Council has confirmed its support for the IIHF World Junior Championship in Halifax and Moncton, following news that Hockey Canada's board will resign.
Speaking during a special council meeting Tuesday evening, Mayor Mike Savage said the way Hockey Canada has handled allegations of sexual assault by players is "wrong," but given the pending resignations, he feels optimistic about hosting the World Juniors in December.
"We're gonna go ahead and … put this tournament on and we're gonna do a hell of a job of it, as we always do," said Savage.
Hockey Canada announced Tuesday morning that CEO Scott Smith and the entire board of directors would step down.
The national ice hockey body has come under intense scrutiny in the last few weeks over its handling of sexual assault allegations. One incident alleges a group sexual assault occurred in Halifax in 2003, involving members of that year's Canadian world junior team.
Savage said neither Halifax nor the players in this year's tournament should be penalized for what allegedly happened years ago.
"That's a long time ago now and it wouldn't be fair to hold that against kids who are playing hockey today, and it wasn't the citizens of Halifax who did anything wrong at that point in time," Savage told CBC News after the meeting.
Coun. Shawn Cleary said the resignations at Hockey Canada needed to happen, and he's glad he can now fully support the tournament.
"I think the indication was that we are now where we wanted to be in terms of Hockey Canada taking responsibility, accountability," said Cleary.
Some councillors raised concerns that sweeping leadership change at the national organization won't be enough. Coun. Lisa Blackburn said Hockey Canada needs "complete systemic change."
"Through their actions, they've taught these boys, who are now men, that it's OK to use women any way they want and they'll be supported," said Blackburn.
"They've taught these boys … that it's OK to cover up that wrongdoing and bury it from scrutiny."
Blackburn said she'd like to see the municipality take any possible action to ensure safety during the tournament and events in the future.
City staff responded that they are in ongoing funding negotiations with Hockey Canada, and will be qualifying their funding with commitments like a code of conduct. Those negotiations will be finalized in the coming weeks.
The driver wanted in connection with a fatal hit and run on Highway 401 earlier this week has been identified, police say.
There are mixed feelings about the proposed Grays Bay road and port project, among people who live in nearby communities.
WARNING: This story details allegations of child abuse and includes graphic content.
Provincial police in Lambton County have charged a 23-year-old man with second degree murder following a death investigation that began this past Saturday.
The Newfoundland and Labrador government is forming a working group to tackle what it calls systemic issues in the justice system, but answers or solutions could still be months away.
A woman has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death in a 2024 fatal hit and run in Truro, N.S., where the victim was dragged down the street, a case that went unsolved for more than six months.
A stream of people showing up to a brightly lit front porch, each holding up a bottle of wine, spirits, or beer.
Sona Lakhoyan Olivier has been excluded from Quebec’s Liberal caucus for the duration of an investigation led by the National Assembly’s ethics commissioner, the party announced Thursday.
The head of the William Whyte Neighbourhood Association hopes a city plan to crack down on vacant properties leads to a transformation in his community.
Saskatchewan's justice minister is rejecting the latest legislative proposal from the NDP Opposition, one that the NDP says is a necessary check on government power.
The provincial government is proposing sweeping changes to citizen-led referendum questions that could put a stop to an active court case about whether it’s constitutional to ask Albertans if they agree with separating from Canada.
A proposal for a hydrogen-powered passenger rail connecting Calgary and Banff has been submitted to the federal government in the hopes of having it fast-tracked.
The P.E.I. Green Party is calling on government to release the fall fiscal update. The checkup on the province's finances is typically released sometime in October.