Here’s why the 2023 World Junior Hockey Championship isn’t a sure thing, yet | City | Halifax, Nova Scotia
OOn December 26, the first knock rings at the International Ice Hockey Federation 2023 for men World Junior Championship, co-hosted by Halifax and Moncton, New Brunswick. Less than four weeks from now, the Maritimes will welcome fans and players from around the world, and millions of Canadians across the country will engage in the history-making holiday tradition of watching the tournament, which runs from Boxing Day until January 5, 2023. That is, if all goes to plan.
It’s been a rough road for the provincial and municipal governments of the two host cities leading up to the tournament as they face off against the scandal-plagued national hockey governing body, Hockey Canada. Not to mention, Halifax and Moncton were only named hosts of the Junior Worlds in May after Russia was stripped of the privilege in February for its invasion of Ukraine.
If you need a refresher, Hockey Canada first came under fire in May — just two weeks after Halifax and Moncton became hosts — when it was revealed that the organization tried to cover up an alleged gang sexual assault by members of Canada’s World Junior team in London, ON in 2018. Then came the revelation in July that Hockey in Canada had a hush fund that was used to resolve allegations of sexual assault, and was using small hockey registration fees to pay for it. Also in July, Halifax Regional Police began investigating a 2003 gang sexual assault including Canadian Junior World players in Halifax the last time the tournament was held in the city. All the time, Hockey Canada continued to defend its leadership.
In the wake of the scandal, over a dozen Hockey Canada sponsors withdrew support. Hockey Nova Scotia also stopped transferring money to the national body. Until last month, the question it was still in the air if Halifax will host the World Juniors at all. both Prime Minister Tim Houston AND Mayor Mike Savageon Oct. 6 and 7, respectively, said they needed to see “significant changes” within Hockey Canada before the tournament could go ahead.
Have those significant changes occurred? On October 11, Hockey Canada’s CEO and board of directors resigned, an event that was appreciated by both Houston AND Wild as a step in the right direction. the same day, Halifax Regional Council confirmed its support for the ongoing tournament. The advisers agreed that the problems are with Hockey Canada, not the IIHF or the current pool of young players; The mass resignation signaled a positive turn for the governing body and early ticket sales were strong.
Savage is still optimistic about the continuation of the World Juniors. “I appreciated the changes made at the top of Hockey Canada with the resignation of the CEO and board of directors in response to calls for accountability. This is an indication that Hockey Canada is serious about working to regain public trust,” the mayor told The Coast in an email Monday.
At that Oct. 11 council meeting, District 14 Councilwoman Lisa Blackburn expressed perhaps Hockey Canada’s harshest punishment of the gang. “I feel a little bit better than when I spoke up about it in council,” Blackburn says on the phone with The Coast Tuesday. “I certainly see Hockey Canada moving the needle on a much-needed change — it’s actually more than change, it’s a review that’s called for — but, you know, it just seems from the work they’ve done that they’re willing to dig and do that work.”
Blackburn cites the resignation of the CEO and board, as well as the police investigation into the 2003 attack in Halifax, as good progress toward accountability. “Is the problem solved? Is everything sunshine, roses and lollipops? Absolutely not. But I think I’ve seen enough movement that I’m encouraged and certainly a lot more comfortable with this event coming to Halifax this December.”
But there are still some missing pieces. A “contribution agreement” to host the tournament between Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Hockey Canada – where Nova Scotia will provide $2 million in funding to Hockey Canada and New Brunswick will contribute $1.25 million –not yet signed. Again, for a tournament that is less than a month away.
TThe cap contribution agreement comes with conditions. The two provinces are asking Hockey Canada to hold sexual assault and harassment prevention training for all players and staff before the start of the tournament and sign an anti-harassment policy. “The anti-harassment policy is part of the contribution agreement, which is currently with Hockey Canada for review. We expect to hear back from Hockey Canada in the coming days,” a provincial spokesperson said in an email to The Coast on Tuesday.
For Hockey Canada’s part, it announced in July that it would implement “mandatory expanded sexual assault and consent training” for all players, coaches and staff, led by the Waterloo Region Sexual Assault Support Centre, says a Hockey Canada spokesperson for The Coast. in an email on Tuesday. “Any players, coaches and staff who will be participating in Team Canada’s selection camp for the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship and were not part of a national team program this summer will participate in training prior to the start of camp. ”
Hockey Canada says last month it approved the so-called Universal Code of Conduct for Preventing and Addressing Abuse in Sport 6.0. “All players, coaches and staff are mandated to sign the UCCMS and Hockey Canada Code of Conduct. Any violation of Hockey Canada’s Code of Conduct may result in a lifetime ban from all Hockey Canada programs,” the spokesperson wrote.
The province confirmed Tuesday that “all Hockey Canada staff have completed training and signed an enhanced code of conduct” and all players who have not yet undergone sexual assault prevention training will receive it before the start of the tournament. The anti-bullying policy the province expects Hockey Canada to sign off on is the government’s creation, separate from the enhanced code of conduct.
“The Province of Nova Scotia’s anti-harassment policy makes it clear that there is zero tolerance for instances of harassment and/or abuse at the 2023 World Junior tournament. The policy sets out the standards and expectations for the conduct of Hockey Canada athletes, coaches and staff who will to be present at the tournament. The government of New Brunswick has also created a similar policy for the tour,” the province’s spokesperson writes.
That said, both the province and the city clearly intend for the event to continue. The province’s spokesperson explains that regardless of a finalized contribution agreement, “The Province of Nova Scotia is committed to hosting the 2023 World Juniors with our partners.”
“I think the pros definitely outweigh the cons of holding this event,” says Councilor Blackburn. “I think it will provide a much needed boost to our tourism and hospitality industry in general in HRM.”
And Mayor Savage is looking forward to the exhibition. “Halifax and Moncton have long been hockey towns and great hosts for major sporting events,” he writes. “I know we can successfully welcome Junior World players and fans from around the world.”