Quebec government wants to hear from QMJHL commissioner on abuse in junior hockey

QUEBEC – Premier François Legault says he expects Quebec Major Junior Hockey League officials will appear before a legislature committee over disturbing revelations of sexual assault and torture suffered by teenage hockey players.

A day after calling on the league to provide a public explanation, Legault said media interviews by commissioner Gilles Courteau are not enough, and more answers and action are needed from the league brass.

In a Feb. 3 decision on a class-action lawsuit, Ontario Superior Court Justice Paul Perell described the “horrific and despicable and unquestionably criminal acts” that former players in Canada’s three major junior hockey leagues, including the QMJHL, suffered at the hands of teammates and staff during initiations.

The judge accepted the former players’ evidence but denied their request to certify a class-action lawsuit against the hockey leagues and their teams.

Courteau, the longtime commissioner of the Quebec league, has said in interviews with Radio-Canada and 98.5 FM that he was unaware of such acts.

The Quebec minister responsible for sports, Isabelle Charest, told reporters today she’s not reassured by what she’s heard from Courteau and is in favour of calling him before a legislature committee.

Québec solidaire member Vincent Marissal, who had pushed for a committee hearing, says he’s happy with support for his idea from other parties and hopes the hearing will be held soon.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 15, 2023.