OTTAWA, Ontario – Canada’s Sports Minister ordered a forensic audit of Hockey Canada on Thursday after the organization recently settled a lawsuit with a woman who said she had been sexually assaulted by several team members. 2018 World Junior Hockey Championships.
Pascale St-Onge said she was “surprised and angry” and said an investigation would be conducted to ensure that no public funds were used in an out-of-court settlement to “cover up” the story.
The plaintiff, identified as “MS” in court records, alleges that she was repeatedly assaulted while intoxicated in a hotel room in London, Ontario, following a Canadian Hockey event in honor of the junior team. gold medal winner.
The woman, now 24, was seeking $ 3.55 million in damages. Details of the deal were not released.
Bloc Québécois MP Sébastien Lemire, who filed a motion Thursday in the House of Commons to request an investigation, said he was “outraged” by the allegations.
“It simply came to our notice then [about this] four years after the fact? “he asked.” Have we covered up the sex scandal charges involving Canadian Hockey players? “
In a statement released on May 26, Hockey Canada said the plaintiff chose not to talk to both the police and the Hockey Canada independent investigator. The organization also said the woman did not want to identify the players involved.
“That was his right and we fully respect his wishes,” the statement said.
The NHL also launched an investigation.
“We will work to determine the underlying facts and, to the extent that this may involve players who are now in the NHL, we will determine what action, if any, would be appropriate,” the league said in a statement.