Independent

safe sport

The Independent Third Party (ITP) is a fully independent group appointed to administer all Hockey Canada maltreatment complaints in a procedurally fair manner. The ITP may redirect complaints to provincial member associations or the Abuse-Free Sport and the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner depending on the jurisdiction or nature of the complaint.

What does the ITP do:

The ITP’s role is to administer complaints.  The ITP does not investigate or adjudicate complaints but it ensures that complaints are processed in a confidential, neutral and procedurally fair manner.  The ITP hires external mediators, investigators and adjudicators for the complaints within its jurisdiction.

All of the roles, responsibilities and obligations of the ITP are set out in the Maltreatment Complaint Management Policy.

The ITP does not advocate for one side or the other.  The ITP remains neutral and procedurally fair throughout the process.

What is the ITP process:

The ITP receives all maltreatment complaints pertaining to individuals who are subject to Hockey Canada and Member policies and codes of conduct; What is a Member?

Submit a Complaint Here

After receiving the complaint, the ITP analyzes the complaint to determine the appropriate jurisdiction and process.  

Not all maltreatment complaints are processed by the ITP:  

Some maltreatment complaints will fall under Hockey Canadas Members and, if so, the ITP provides the Members with the complaint materials so that the Member can manage the complaint. This does not mean that the complaint is without merit or that it is not maltreatment – only that the Member is the appropriate organization to handle it.   

Some maltreatment complaints will fall under the ITP’s jurisdiction and, if so, the ITP determines what ITP process should apply. 

What kind of cases are processed by the ITP?

The ITP administers complaints such as:

  • Sexual abuse 
  • Sexual maltreatment
  • Distribution of child pornography 
  • Physical assault
  • Repeated instances of bullying, harassment and/or discrimination
  • Other forms of severe Maltreatment as determined by the ITP

The ITP may need to report matters to law enforcement, child protection services and/or Hockey Canada’s insurers. 

The ITP does not report matters to Hockey Canada unless the complaint is under the ITP’s jurisdiction and only after a final adjudication decision has been made.

If the complaint is within the ITP’s jurisdiction, it will retain mediators, investigators and/or adjudicators to process the complaint.

The ITP does not:

  • Process appeals for matters that take place in other jurisdictions;
  • Address complaints related to personality conflicts and differing opinions that do not constitute maltreatment;
  • Address complaints relating to matters such as transfer requests or appeals;
  • Address complaints about operational matters such as fee disputes and refunds;
  • Provide legal advice to Hockey Canada, Hockey Canada member associations or any of the parties to a complaint;
  • Overturn or vary suspensions issued by officials on ice.

Our key responsibility is our independence from Hockey Canada. Our sole jurisdiction is to handle complaints and keep the identity of complainants confidential from Hockey Canada and its Members. We will not be unduly influenced by anyone at Hockey Canada regarding the complaint administration process. We do not provide any legal advice to Hockey Canada.

Trauma Informed Process

Reporting Abuse or Harassment is often a difficult process. The Independent Third Party is committed to operating in a trauma-informed manner.

  • All reports will be kept entirely confidential, in line with the wishes of the person making the complaint. This includes confidentiality from Hockey Canada and the Members.
  • All Complaints will be followed up in a timely manner.
  • The ITP can refer survivors to additional supports.
  • The ITP answers questions about the complaint process.
  • Complaints are taken seriously and rigorously examined.
  • The ITP is staffed by a number of diverse professionals reflecting both gender and racial diversity. Service is available in French and English.

Additional resources will be developed as the Independent Third Party continues its work and analyzes the ongoing needs to ensure a safe and trauma-informed complaint mechanism.

The disciplinary process is confidential and involves the Parties (including, where appropriate, their guardian, parent or other adult representative), the ITP, the Adjudicative Chair or Adjudicative Panel, and any independent advisors to the Adjudicative Panel. Hockey Canada or a Member may be involved in the event a Complaint was initially submitted to it, but shall otherwise not be involved in the proceedings. Once initiated and until a decision is released, none of the Parties will disclose confidential information relating to the Complaint, including any interim sanction relating thereto, to any person not involved in the proceedings except to obtain legal advice or unless required by law.

There may be situations where the ITP is required to notify an organization such as an international federation, law enforcement, insurers, Sport Canada or other agencies as required by law that a complaint alleging a breach of the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) or another relevant policy or code of conduct has been filed and disciplinary proceedings have been initiated. Even where such disclosure is required, all aspects of the Complaint will still be managed by the ITP in accordance with the Policy.  

Any failure to respect the confidentiality requirement may result in sanctions by the Adjudicative Chair or Adjudicative Panel, as applicable.

A key feature of the ITP structure is its independence from Hockey Canada. The ITP has sole jurisdiction to administer complaints and keeps the identity of complainants confidential from Hockey Canada and Member associations. 

The ITP will not be unduly influenced by anyone at Hockey Canada regarding the complaint administration process. Although the ITP mechanism is staffed by some lawyers, those lawyers do not provide any legal advice to Hockey Canada.

Hockey Canada will receive anonymized reports from the ITP from time to time documenting the number of complaints received, categorizing complaints and reporting on other metrics such as response times and the time required to close complaints. This reporting protects the identity of all those involved with a complaint process.

Maltreatment Complaint Management Policy

An independent third party will oversee all complaints and subsequent discipline that fall outside the jurisdiction of the Office of the Sport Integrity Commissioner.

HOCKEY CANADA CODE OF CONDUCT

This code of conduct ensures behaviour consistent with Hockey Canada’s core values that produces a safe and positive environment within programs, activities and events.

ADOPTION OF THE UCCMS

Hockey Canada has adopted the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport, which is key to advancing a respectful culture in sport across the country.

What is a Member?

There are thirteen members of Hockey Canada which are each responsible for the management of amateur hockey within their geographic region.  These members are each registered with Hockey Canada. For example, Hockey Alberta has jurisdiction over amateur hockey within the Province of Alberta.
 
The thirteen members are: 
 
  • British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association with jurisdiction over British Columbia and Yukon
  • Hockey Alberta with jurisdiction over Alberta
  • Saskatchewan Hockey Association with jurisdiction over Saskatchewan
  • Hockey Manitoba with jurisdiction over Manitoba
  • Hockey Northwestern Ontario (HNO) with jurisdiction over the part of Northwestern Ontario west of the 85th meridian
  • Hockey Eastern Ontario (HEO) with jurisdiction over the part of the Ontario east of and including the Counties of Leeds, Lanark and Renfrew except the town of Gananogue and the part west of Highway 32 and Highway 15
  • The Ontario Hockey Federation with jurisdiction over the part of Ontario not covered by HNO and HEO
  • Hockey Quebec with jurisdiction over Quebec
  • Hockey New Brunswick with jurisdiction over New Brunswick
  • Hockey Nova Scotia with jurisdiction over Nova Scotia
  • Hockey PEI with jurisdiction over PEI
  • Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador with jurisdiction over Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Hockey North with jurisdiction over the Northwest Territories and Nunavut 
 
For greater clarity on the jurisdiction of members in Ontario