Calgary: In a significant development, the Hockey Canada Board of Directors has announced that its entire board of directors and CEO will step down as the organization confronts widespread criticism from all sides over not handling the allegations of alleged sexual assault properly.
The Hockey Canada said that chief executive officer Scott Smith and entire Board are stepping down to make room for a new slate of directors.
Now, an interim management committee will be put in place which will guide the organization until no later than a newly constituted Board appoints a new CEO to lead the organization, officials said.
A new slate of directors will be selected by members before the forthcoming virtual election scheduled for December 17, this year.
A statement said that the interim Management Committee will focus on day-to-day operations and ensure progress on the implementation of Hockey Canada’s Action Plan, including reviewing and working with the Board and Members towards the full implementation of the independent governance review recommendations from the Thomas Cromwell, C.C., former Supreme Court Justice as well as working to facilitate the effective transition to a new CEO and Board.
Earlier, Andrea Scheiner, the director and interim chair of the Board of Hockey resigned from her post but Canada’s Minister of Sport Pascale St-Onge sought a complete new leadership team.
The federal government has stopped funding Hockey Canada. Not only this, Major sponsors including Nike, Canadian Tyre, Scotia Bank and Tim Hortons also stopped sponsoring Hockey Canada after the controversy.