We want to begin by acknowledging that this has been a difficult and challenging week for our hockey community.

On Friday, January 30, Hockey Nova Scotia was made aware of a maltreatment allegation involving a minor. The matter was immediately reported to the RCMP, Child Welfare agencies, and to Hockey Canada’s Independent Third Party (ITP). Since January 30, Hockey Nova Scotia has been working simultaneously with the RCMP, ITP, and Hockey Canada and is complying with all directions received. 

The youth team involved has had all activities suspended while the matter is under investigation. As this process is ongoing, and in order to protect the privacy of those involved, we are unable to provide further details at this time. It is imperative that we comply with the restrictions set out in the Youth Criminal Justice Act and ensure that the identity of the youths alleged to be involved are protected. This is not optional.

The safety and well-being of our members and our community remains our top priority. We are firmly committed to ensuring that hockey rinks across our province are safe, respectful, and welcoming environments for everyone.

There is no place in our game for maltreatment, abuse, bullying, harassment, or discrimination of any kind.

We encourage all members to take this opportunity to review Hockey Nova Scotia’s Code of Conduct, which was introduced in June 2024. The Code is compliant with the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) and was adopted following a recommendation from the Hockey Nova Scotia Diversity & Inclusion Task Force in its 2021 final report.

The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to ensure a safe and positive environment within Hockey Nova Scotia’s programs, activities, and events by clearly outlining the expectation of appropriate behaviour at all times, both on and off the ice, and consistent with our organization’s values.

We encourage members to review the Code of Conduct with their families: https://hockeynovascotia.ca/admin-member/resources/the-code/ 

Hockey Nova Scotia maintains a zero-tolerance stance toward all forms of maltreatment, including bullying, harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. You can find our Maltreatment Policy here: https://5647e90c-cdn.agilitycms.cloud/Maltreatment%20Policy%202022%20July%204.pdf

Our dedicated volunteers, who work closely with young players, are in a unique position to recognize potential concerns and have a heightened responsibility to report incidents of maltreatment to help ensure the safety of minors.

All allegations of maltreatment must be reported through Hockey Canada’s Independent Third Party: https://sportcomplaints.ca/ 

Hockey Canada takes all allegations of maltreatment extremely seriously and in 2022 established an Independent Third Party (ITP) to administer all maltreatment allegations. 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. When a complaint has been accepted by the ITP, the Hockey Canada Maltreatment Complaint Management Policy enables the ITP to impose interim sanctions if deemed necessary. 

We will continue to work to support those impacted by these allegations and to provide appropriate resources where needed.

We have included a message below that we would welcome you to share your association and league members. We will also be sharing this message with our HNS membership.

If you or someone you know has been affected by maltreatment in hockey, we urge you to report it. Together, we can continue working to ensure hockey is as safe and supportive as possible for everyone involved.

Sincerely,

Mike Field

Executive Director

Hockey Nova Scotia

Brad MacKinley

President

Hockey Nova Scotia