Online rant puts minor hockey head on thin ice
WINDSOR, ONT .• Dean Lapierre, the longtime president of the Windsor Minor Hockey Association, is under investigation by his own organization and the Ontario Minor Hockey Association for calling Canadian women who participated in t he Women’s March on Washington “dumb bitches” on social media Sunday.
“Any of those CANADIAN women who wanted to protest the President of the USA and got turned around. Good u dumb bitches,” Lapierre wrote on his personal Facebook page. “Worry about your own Country CANADA. And your ( sic) protesting what?”
The OMHA is investigating, executive director Ian Taylor said Tuesday. “These comments are offensive and have no place in minor hockey,” Taylor said in an emailed statement. “We aim to teach our players the value of respect and acceptance of all members of our communities.”
“It’s offensive. It definitely is,” said Al Iatonna, the WMHA’s director of abuse and harassment. “I’m kind of shocked.”
The comment violates the association’s code of conduct, he said. “You shouldn’t be calling people bitches. You say something like that at work and you’re looking at Bill 168,” he said, citing Ontario legislation on workplace violence and harassment. “That would classify as harassment.”
“Should I have said it? No, I shouldn’t have,” Lapierre said in an interview, adding he has spoken to a lawyer for advice. “I screwed up. There’s no doubt about it ... If I offended anyone, I apologize. I wasn’t trying to be malicious toward anyone.”
But he continued, appearing to defend himself.
“It’s just that everything on Facebook was blown up about this protest regarding President Trump,” he said. If Canadian women want to march, they should march in Canada against Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, he said.
He has received about 70 messages supporting him, he said. Three people have contacted him to complain, he said, but “I don’t even know them.”
Still, he said, “nothing justifies what I did.”
The association, which has about 940 players ages four to 18, including 30 girls, is “committed to providing an environment in which all individuals are treated with respect,” according to its code of conduct.
“Members of the association shall refrain from the comments or behaviours which are disrespectful, offensive, abusive, racist or sexist,” it states.
The code covers comments on social media. Players who violate the code can have their registrations refused or revoked. Team officials, referees and parents are also required by the governing OMHA to take a course on respect.
Some parents are appalled and calling for Lapierre, who has been president for 18 years, to be removed from his position.
“This man is the president of Windsor Minor Hockey and works with boys and girls every day,” Lisa Porter, whose two sons played in the league for eight years, wrote to the Windsor Star.
COMMENTS ... HAVE NO PLACE IN MINOR HOCKEY.