NDP critic calls for new Hockey Canada audit following claims of high-flying spending

NDP MP Peter Julian is pressing Minister of Sport Pascale St-Onge to order a new federal audit of Hockey Canada's finances over the past eight years in response to allegations that the sports body's directors availed themselves of high-cost hotels, dinners and jewlery.

Julian sent a letter to St-Onge on Tuesday regarding what he called "Hockey Canada's lack of accountability and transparency in managing their expenses."

Julian said a former Hockey Canada board member relayed to him insider information about the spending practices of the eight-member board of directors.

In his letter, Julian referred to board dinners that can "cost more than $5,000, presidential suites for board members that cost over $3,000 per night and gold and diamond rings for board members that cost over $3,000 each."

"As the minister who oversees Sports Canada and Hockey Canada, it is your responsibility to make sure that Hockey Canada uses government funds and hockey parents' registration fees in an accountable and transparent manner," Julian added.

Hockey Canada CEO Scott Smith testified in July that "the board of directors and our members from time to time have received a version of championship rings and there are some staff members who do have bonuses that relate to medal performance." He didn't disclose amounts.

Hockey Canada has been under intense public scrutiny since May over its use of a reserve fund — fed in part by player's registration fees — to settle a $3.5 million lawsuit alleging members of the 2018 World Junior team sexually assaulted an intoxicated woman.

The federal government froze the hockey organization's funding in June and has ordered an audit to show government funding wasn't used to settle the lawsuit.

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