An Open Letter to Hockey Canada Addressing Misconduct, Bullying, and the Code of Silence in Youth Hockey.
November 2025
Hockey Canada, who is protecting our kids?
Recent revelations about bullying and sexual misconduct within a U14 team in Stoney Creek are deeply troubling, not only because of the harm to young players, but because of what this case exposes about systemic failures in Canadian hockey culture.
According to the Sports Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada’s report, these acts were frequent, coordinated, sometimes even recorded, while oversight from coaching staff was non-existent. More concerning is the fact that participants in these investigations are routinely bound by confidentiality agreements, effectively silencing victims and protecting institutions from scrutiny.
This practice is unacceptable.
Confidentiality clauses and NDAs [non-disclosure agreements] in cases of abuse, harassment, or sexual misconduct do not protect victims — they protect reputations and enable cycles of harm. They prevent families from speaking openly, they get in the way of cultural change, and they prioritize secrecy over safety. Survivors deserve the right to share their experiences without fear of legal repercussions. Communities deserve transparency to ensure accountability and prevent repeat offences.
We call on Hockey Canada to take immediate action:
End the use of NDAs and confidentiality clauses in all cases involving abuse, harassment, or misconduct.
Commit to full transparency in disciplinary processes and sanctions. The public should not learn about these cases through appeals or leaked reports.
Implement survivor-centered policies that prioritize healing, justice, and systemic change over institutional reputation.
Hockey is a game Canadians love, and we at Daughter Project recognize the safe space it can provide for our nation’s children. Hockey Canada has an opportunity and an obligation to lead by example and create a culture where protection of players comes before protection of image.
We urge Hockey Canada to act now in order to build a future for youth hockey that centers around safety, respect, and accountability.
