Front Burner

From grade 'A' to gone, why Hockey Canada caved

With Hockey Canada’s CEO and entire board of directors stepping down, a look at why the organization resisted months of political and financial pressure for leadership change.
Hockey Canada CEO Scott Smith appears at the parliamentary committee looking into how the organization handled allegations of sexual assault on July 27. (CP/Sean Kilpatrick)

After months of pressure by MPs, corporate sponsors and its own members across the country, Hockey Canada announced on Tuesday that its CEO and entire board was stepping down. 

A parliamentary committee has been probing Hockey Canada's handling of 2018 sexual assault allegations since July. During that time, further allegations of group sexual assault have emerged, and Hockey Canada has confirmed a fund that draws from minor hockey memberships was used to settle claims. 

A new wave of financial and political pressure began last week, after then-interim board chair Andrea Skinner spoke to the committee. Her defence of the organization's leadership included giving CEO Scott Smith an "A" grade for his performance – drawing laughter from some MPs.

Today on Front Burner, CBC senior reporter Ashley Burke joins us to explain why Hockey Canada resisted the push for new leadership for so long and what still needs to be done before we see substantial change in hockey culture.

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