NDP MP Peter Julian seeks answers from Hockey Canada CEO Scott Smith in penned letter Tuesday

NDP MP Peter Julian is seeking further accountability and transparency from Hockey Canada by way of a letter issued to the organization’s president and CEO, Scott Smith.

The letter, provided to The Canadian Press, comes following new information Julian had been informed of by a former board member - who opted to remain anonymous - regarding perks and luxurious accommodations provided to board members.

“Thousands of dollars that are being spent on board meetings, on luxury suites, on the rings that come with championship teams that are given to board members,” he said. “And I have asked these questions in the hearings that we’ve had so far and have been stonewalled by Hockey Canada.

“The accountability is fundamental here. And I expect Hockey Canada to provide answers to Canadians. There have been a lot of expenditures that I don’t think pass the nod test when it comes to hockey parents that are registering their daughter or their son in hockey programs. And they’re not seeing the accountability for those funds that Hockey Canada should be exercising.”

In the letter, Julian follows up on Smith’s testimony from a parliamentary hearing on July 27 where he said, “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.”

Presenting information of dinners costing north of $5,000 for the board of directors, as well as accommodations of over $3,000 per night “such as the presidential suite at the (Westin) Harbour Castle in Downtown Toronto,” Julian questions how many times such payments have been made.

Julian also notes allegations of the championship rings received by board members reportedly worth more than $3,000 apiece and seeks confirmation of their cost.

In a statement provided to The Canadian Press, Hockey Canada says the expenses for the board members are “regularly reviewed to ensure they are appropriate.”

“Given the volunteer nature of their role, Hockey Canada covers a range of expenses related to the board’s duties, including meetings, food, and travel costs. Our board of director’s travel and expense policy strictly dictates which expenses are appropriate, including a requirement that directors book the most economical travel available.

“Allowable expenses include airfare, accommodation, meals, and ground travel. Hockey Canada does not cover hotel stays longer than required for board business, incidental costs, or airfare to locations other than the meeting location and home.”

With parliament set to resume Sept. 19, Julian continues to voice his desire to have Hockey Canada back in front of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.

“It’s up to a majority of the committee (to decide on future hearings),” said Julian. “I’ve expressed a few weeks ago that I thought that we need to continue these important hearings and broaden them to include other national sports organizations, because we’ve become aware of other sports organizations where there has been a similar lack of accountability.

“Sport Canada, and the minister of sport, needs to be accountable for the decisions that have been made over the last two years. And so, I hope, and I feel, that members of the committee understand the importance of it. I certainly hope that we will be continuing these hearings, and that will be a decision that I believe the committee will be making (in) its next meetings.”