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Hockey Canada announced on Tuesday that its board of directors, including CEO Scott Smith, will step down amid multiple sexual abuse allegations.
A new replacement board of directors is expected to be chosen before Dec. 17.
“Recognizing the urgent need for new leadership and perspectives, the entire Board of Directors announced it will step aside and pursuant to Hockey Canada’s By-Laws,” read the organization’s press release.
“The Board will not seek re-election and will fulfil its fiduciary duties until such time as a new Board is elected,” it added.
Hockey Canada has paid $7.6 million towards nine different sexual abuse settlements since 1989. The organization allegedly had a “secret fund” to handle sexual abuse cases that would come up over time.
Hockey Canada also allegedly used its players’ registration fees to pay for settlement payouts.
As more information and details arise over allegations, the organization’s reputation continues to plummet. It has led to several sponsors dropping their support of Hockey Canada including Nike, Bauer Hockey, and Tim Hortons, along with some of Canada’s biggest corporations.
Tim Hortons said Tuesday that it will not reinstate its support for Hockey Canada “until we’re confident that progress is being made and Canadians once again believe in the organization’s leadership and its ability to do what’s right for the game we all love.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, told reporters before a meeting on Thursday that, “it is inconceivable that folks at Hockey Canada continue to dig in. It’s not like there’s something extraordinarily special about the people at Hockey Canada that means they are the only people in the country that can run an organization like this.”
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