ONTARIO WOMEN’S HOCKEY ASSOCIATION STATEMENT August 15, 2022 Re: Hockey Canada
The Ontario Women’s Hockey Association (OWHA) is deeply disturbed by the revelations of the last few weeks regarding Hockey Canada. We offer our support to all those who have been impacted.
It is the purpose of Hockey Canada to provide a safe sporting environment for all those under its umbrella and to provide strong prevention efforts, policies, programs and training for all participants. Misconduct of any kind has no place in sport, and hockey cannot be safe on the ice if it is not safe off the ice. Canadians need to be able to participate in hockey free from harassment, abuse, sexual violence and discrimination.
Hockey Canada must be fully transparent with Canadians about their actions in the past and their plans for the future.
Since 1975, the OWHA has been committed to promoting, providing and developing opportunities for women and girls to play female hockey in Ontario. For just as long, the OWHA has been battling against elements of Canadian hockey’s system and culture involving inequity and inequality.
On behalf of our stakeholders and for better sport for all:
- We call on Hockey Canada to centre women, girls, survivors, and under-represented people in the development of its reform.
- We call on the Honourable Thomas Cromwell, C.C., Ms. Victoria Prince and Ms. Nadia Effendi to address the historical, structural and financial issues which must be changed and improved in order to help restore the confidence of Canadians in Hockey Canada and our national sport.
The OWHA supports greater equity and equality in hockey, and a safe, welcoming and inclusive sporting experience for everyone.
About the OWHA
- The OWHA is the governing body and the Provincial Sports Organization for female hockey in the Province of Ontario with players ranging from 4 to over 80 years old.
- OWHA is a values-driven organization that is committed to providing programs that support the physical and mental health of all participants.
OWHA STATEMENT.pdf