NDP asking for 'thorough audit' of Hockey Canada's finances dating back to 2016

NDP MP Peter Julian is asking the federal government to conduct "a thorough audit" of Hockey Canada's finances dating back to 2016.

The request, made in a letter to Minister of Sport Pascale St-Onge on Tuesday, references thousands of dollars in expenses attributed to the sport's national governing body, including high-end dinners, luxurious hotel suites and championship rings for board members.

A member of House of Commons' heritage committee, which has been examining the federation since an explosive sexual assault allegation and subsequent hushed payment were revealed in the spring, Julian wrote that he also raised the issue with embattled Hockey Canada CEO Scott Smith in another letter.

In a statement provided to CP at the time, Hockey Canada said board expenses are "regularly reviewed to ensure they are appropriate."

St-Onge oversees Sport Canada and Hockey Canada, and according to Julian "it is your responsibility to make sure that Hockey Canada uses government funds and hockey parents' registration fees in an accountable and transparent manner."

The B.C. parliamentarian added in his letter the latest revelations "show that Hockey Canada has not been transparent and accountable to the public and particularly to hockey parents."

Hockey Canada has been under intense scrutiny since TSN first reported an undisclosed settlement paid to a woman who alleges she was sexually assaulted by eight players, including members of the 2018 world junior team, at a gala event in London, Ont.

The complainant had been seeking $3.55 million dollars in damages. None of the allegations have been tested in court.

Hockey Canada officials told the heritage committee in July it has used the organization's National Equity Fund, which draws on