QMJHL: calls for a change in culture and governance

Major governance and cultural changes are needed in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), according to the report of the Commission de la culture et de l’éducation.

The report by the commission, which was made up of several MPs, calls for a change in the culture of initiations in major junior hockey. It recommends that “sports federations develop a policy on hazing and inappropriate initiation practices”.

The aim is to put an end to degrading and violent acts during initiations, such as real or simulated sexual acts, tattoos, insults, sleep deprivation and so on.

The report also recommends putting an end to the use of alcohol and drugs.

It is also hoped that “the QMJHL will set up an independent, external complaints mechanism, including the possibility of sanctions” and that “help resources will be readily available for players”.

Last February, the QMJHL was rocked by several allegations of degrading and violent initiations by players against rookies. We’re talking about sexual violence, acts of discrimination and other forms of abuse.

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According to evidence heard in Ontario Superior Court, young players were tortured, forcibly confined, shaved, stripped naked, drugged, intoxicated, physically and sexually assaulted and forced to drink urine, among other things.

The controversy even got the better of QMJHL commissioner Gilles Courteau, who handed over the reins to Mario Cecchini last March. His resignation came on the heels of his testimony to the parliamentary commission on violence in junior hockey at the National Assembly.

Prior to his resignation, he had announced that his organization was committed to adopting a “locker room code” to prevent degrading initiations and break the culture of silence within its teams.

An independent Board of Directors

The report recommends that the league’s Board of Directors “be completely independent and not include a majority of owners or team personnel”.

It is also hoped that more women and cultural minorities will sit on the board.

Quebec’s Minister of Sport, Isabelle Charest, welcomes the report. “I’m convinced that the work has been done in a serious manner. Obviously, we’ll do everything we can to improve the situation,” she told the National Assembly on Tuesday.

Not exclusive to hockey

The report follows consultations held by the commission in February and March. Fifteen individuals and groups were heard. Six briefs were also submitted.

“The witnesses heard were unanimous on the need to change the culture of initiations that prevails particularly in junior hockey,” reads the document.

The report indicates that all sports are affected by cases of violence or abuse. “The phenomenon of violent initiations is not exclusive to hockey, but the sport’s popularity partly explains the greater number of potential incidents. Although few cases are reported, certain statistics confirm the existence of a real problem.”

It is also stated that there is a “consensus on the presence of a culture that favors outbursts during initiations in junior hockey”.

“This culture is characterized in particular by an unequal relationship between rookies and veterans, as well as by an overemphasis on winning. These characteristics encourage the emergence and trivialization of deviant behaviours, some of which are criminal and infringe fundamental human rights,” it added.