Minor hockey president’s actions ‘were appalling’
WINDSOR, ONT .• A woman who took part in the Women’s March on Washington says she is “happy” the president of the Windsor Minor Hockey Association has been suspended for calling Canadian participants in the event “dumb bitches.”
But Gisele Harrison, a Windsor social worker and therapist, says only ongoing monitoring of Dean Lapierre’s behaviour will determine whether the penalties he received Tuesday will be enough to change his conduct and views of women.
“Sometimes when people are mandated to do these things, often they are not doing it willingly and it’s difficult to see positive progress,” Harrison said. “Usually they just are doing it to obtain what they need.
“I am happy something was done — as generally nothing is done in situations like this. His actions were appalling, but hopefully he does find some way to transform. I do believe people can change if they are willing.”
The penalties were announced Tuesday by the executive board of the local association following consultations with the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA).
Lapierre has been suspended until the end of the 2016- 17 hockey season on April 9. He must also take training courses on social media ethics, participate in a workshop offered by the Sexual Assault Crisis Centre of Windsor and offer a written apology for his recent online remarks about women.
Both the Windsor and Ontario hockey associations began investigating Lapierre after his Facebook comments.
“Any of those CANADIAN women who wanted to protest the President of the USA and got turned around. Good u dumb bitches,” Lapierre wrote. “Worry about your own Country CANADA. And your (sic) protesting what?”
“We understand Dean made a mistake here,” said Dave Pickford, the Windsor association’s vice- president of travel who helped lead the investigation. “We took this very seriously. Initially, I don’t think Dean understood the severity and extent of what he did. But after speaking with him he is remorseful, embarrassed and realized he made a huge mistake.”
Lapierre’s suspension will end April 10, when he will return as the association’s president — a title he has held for the last 18 years. The hockey association holds its election April 18 and its unknown whether Lapierre will run again, Pickford said.
The minor hockey association believes in giving Lapierre a chance at “rehabilitation,” especially given his lengthy contributions to minor hockey and the community, Pickford said.
Lapierre did not return messages left by the Windsor Star. He has deleted his Facebook and Twitter accounts.
The association will update its policies and procedures, especially in regards to use of social media, he said.
One father of a 12-year-old who plays for Windsor minor hockey said he thought Lapierre’s penalties were “soft.” Parents are afraid to say anything about the situation or other dealings with Lapierre due to ramifications for their children, he said.
“There is a good ol’ boys club there,” said the father, who asked not to be identified. “It’s quite clear from his comments he has no respect for women. He is going to get training then go right back to where he was ( as president). Why can’t they give him a lesser role?”
OMHA executive director Ian Taylor said in an email to the Windsor Star the OMHA “believes the issue has been addressed appropriately.”