New Canada Soccer president gets a rough reception from parliamentary committee

Newly elected Canada Soccer president Charmaine Crooks went before the Commons heritage committee on Thursday and told MPs she sees an "opportunity to reset" the beleaguered governing body.

"I strongly believe that we will be in a better place," said Crooks, touting her belief in "trust, transparency and open communication."

The former Olympian is the latest Canada Soccer official to appear before the standing committee on Canadian heritage.

Crooks' first questioner was Conservative MP Kevin Waugh, who opened by saying, "I don't have to tell you the national teams are absolutely pissed off with you and your organization."

In a planned two-hour session that started more than an hour late and was cut short as a result, Crooks deftly handled most of the incoming questions.

But several MPs jumped on her inability to remember whether she had seconded a controversial agreement with Canadian Soccer Business and whether she was involved in a meeting in which former president Nick Bontis, referring to Canada captain Christine Sinclair, said crudely, "What was it Christine was bitching about?"

And things got testy toward the end of the session when Conservative MP Rachael Thomas, citing Crooks' body language, questioned her veracity.

"I wonder if you're lying," she said. "Are you being totally truthful with us today? Or are you skirting our questions?"

A stone-faced Crooks replied, "I vehemently reject that notion."

Crooks appeared before the committee by video conference.

Repeatedly questioned about Canada Soccer's controversial deal with Canadian Soccer Business (CSB), Crooks said the organization is working "to modernize" the agreement and is looking at the term limits and how sponsorship can be increased.

"It was a deal at the